Vertical laryngeal position and oral pressure variations during resonance tube phonation in water and in air. A pilot study

Abstract

Resonance tube phonation in water (RTPW) is commonly used in voice therapy, particularly in Finland and Sweden. The method is believed to induce a lowering of the vertical laryngeal position (VLP) in phonation as well as variations of the oral pressure, possibly inducing a massage effect. This pilot study presents an attempt to measure VLP and oral pressure in two subjects during RTPW and during phonation with the free tube end in air. VLP is recorded by means of a dual-channel electroglottograph. RTPW was found to lower VLP in the subjects, while it increased during phonation with the tube end in air. RTPW caused an oral pressure modulation with a bubble frequency of 14–22 Hz, depending mainly on the depth of the tube end under the water surface. The results indicate that RTPW lowers the VLP instantly and creates oral pressure variations.

Key words::

• Dual-channel electroglottograph
• oral pressure
• resonance tube phonation in water
• vertical laryngeal position
• voice therapy

Acknowledgements

The study was carried out in co-operation between Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland and The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Authors 1 and 3 planned the experiment, and author 2 conducted the data collection. All authors participated during the experiments. The analyses and writing were mainly done by author 1, with guidance from authors 2 and 3. The authors wish to thank SLP Sofia Holmqvist and SLP student John Smedberg for help during the experiments.

Funding: The study was supported by the foundation Kommunalrådet C G Sundells stiftelse in Finland.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.