Effect of Vocal Exercises With Straw on Aerodynamic Parameters of Voice (Pressure, Flow) in Dysodic Singers With Nodules

Singers are over-represented in phoniatric consultations; they present increased risk of developing voice disorders. The most common lesion found in singers is nodule. It comes from vocal straining characterized by the use of a pressed phonation mode, resulting in an increase subglottal pressure and a decrease flow rate. Voice therapy aims to restore a more relaxed phonation. There is a growing interest in semi-occluded vocal tract exercises with a straw in therapy; they have positive effects, particularly in terms of aerodynamic parameters such as subglottal pressure and oral airflow. After these exercises, subglottal pressure decreases and oral airflow increases. In other words, patient adopts a more relaxed phonation mode. Several studies have investigated the effect of these straw exercises on dysphonic patients i.e. on speaking voice; no study to date has explored the effect of these exercises on dysodic subjects i.e. on singing voice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of straw exercises compared to open-mouth exercises on aerodynamic parameters in dysodic women singers with nodules.