IALP 2025

Aerodynamic measurements of vocally healthy individuals: analysis of different age ranges and effects of aging

Kelly Silverio Master-SLP Daniela Hencke SLP Letícia Bonini Master-SLP Marília Andrezzo Beck PhD-SLP Alcione Brasolotto
Speech, Language and Hearing Disorder Department, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Aerodynamic measures provide objective and non-invasive parameters related to phonation (Guzmán & Calvache, 2018). The main measures include Subglottic Pressure (PSUB): force below the vocal folds at the onset of vibration; Phonation Threshold Pressure (PTP): minimum PSUB required to initiate phonation; Transglottal Flow (TF): airflow velocity passing through the vocal folds; Glottal Resistance (GR): resistance of the vocal folds to airflow from the subglottis to the supraglottis (Sundberg & Lã, 2022). Purpose: To characterize aerodynamic measures in vocally healthy individuals across different age groups and compare these measures between groups and sexes. Methods: The study included 144 vocally healthy individuals (both sexes), equally divided into three age groups: young adults (YA) aged 20–39 years, adults (A) aged 40–59 years, and elderly (E) aged 60–85 years. The Aeroview System (MS-110 electronic interface, PT-2E and PT-25 transducers, Glottal Enterprise) was used. Participants repeated the syllable /pa/ into a silicone mask with an intraoral tube at habitual pitch and loudness (for PSUB, TF, and GR) and the lowest possible loudness (for PTP). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc Games-Howell tests (p < 0.05). Results: The YA group showed lower PSUB than A (p = 0.037) and E (p = 0.002), and lower PTP than E (p = 0.006), with no differences from A. The A group had lower TF values than E (p = 0.037), with no differences from YA. Among age and sex groups, elderly males had the highest PSUB compared to all groups except adult males and the highest TF values. No differences were observed for PTP. Discussion: An increase in PSUB and PTP values was observed with advancing age. Elderly males presented higher average PSUB and TF values than the other groups. Learning Outcomes: Understanding biomechanical aspects of vocal production in healthy individuals and their effects on aging.

Acknowledgment Grant #2019/23846-9 São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

References:

Guzmán, M., & Calvache, C. A. (2018). Aerodynamic measures of phonation: Theoretical and clinical foundations. Brinco, 18(2S), 1S-10S. https://revistas.iberoamericana.edu.co/index.php/arete/article/view/1427.

Sundberg, J., & Lã, D. (2022). Aerodynamic aspects of voice production. Journal of Voice Research, 36(4), 543-556.