An Easy Guide for Voice Evaluation in the Clinic

Abstract

The past three years have seen an overwhelming increase in the number of dysphonic patients in our clinics. This phenomenon goes hand in hand with increased opening of call centers nationwide and increased demand for teachers, singers and performers abroad.

This article discusses simple steps for the Otolaryngologist interested in evaluating these patients with different voice demands. It is important to recognize these common voice problems and address them promptly, or to refer them accordingly to Voice Centers if necessary.

Chief Complaint

The most common chief complaint is change in the quality of the voice or hoarseness.  Hoarseness means a change in the perception of one’s voice, described as harsh, raspy, “paos” or “malat.” Other complaints include breathiness, throat pain, neck pain, inability and unrealibility to reach high notes.

Inability to reach high notes suggests edema of the vocal folds making them more plump, as can be found in reflux laryngitis, allergies, or smoking. Lesions such as nodules, polyps and cysts cannot be discounted because they prevent vocal fold closure especially during high notes¹

Throat and neck pain without an accompanying history of infection may suggest muscle tension dysphonia, especially in a voice professional who later develops maladaptive ways of talking that could strain other throat and neck muscles in an effort to speak.²

Frequent throat clearing, a sensation of phlegm in the throat and cough are also important chief complaints that may lead the otolaryngologist to the cause of the voice problem. In the absence of upper respiratory tract infections and post-nasal discharge, these could be suggestive of  laryngopharyngeal reflux.³

History

Does the hoarseness occur on and off? Was it sudden? After shouting in a basketball event? Is it becoming worse and permanent? What triggers or relieves it?

Intermittent hoarseness could be due to voice abuse and misuse especially in a voice professional. Sudden hoarseness especially after watching a basketball event could be suggestive of vocal fold hemorrhage. A voice problem becoming worse and permanent could be a growing polyp or cyst, vocal fold paralysis in laryngeal cancer or thyroid cancer.  A long lecture triggering the hoarseness and rest relieving it may suggest soft nodules, or Reinke’s edema due to vocal fold trauma of voice abuse and misuse.

To begin with, it is important to know the occupation of our patient. Is our patient a voice professional- someone who uses his or her voice for a living? Voice demands at work contribute to voice change significantly and voice abuse and misuse is one of the most common causes of hoarseness. What are the other associated symptoms?

Medical problems like a recent bout of upper respiratory tract infection and allergies are among the most common causes of hoarseness and should not be discounted immediately. Symptoms of hyperacidity are also significant.⁴

Is there a history of breathiness and difficulty of breathing? Voice fatigue, tremor, hypo or hypernasal voice? Choking, globus, odynophagia or dysphagia? Neck pain or head and neck trauma? These questions can give clues to the clinician regarding the possible cause of the problem.

Past Medical History

Asthma, COPD, pulmonary malignancy are associated with voice changes due to decreased airflow. Gastric ulcers and GERD can be suggestive of associated laryngopharyngeal reflux disease changing the vocal fold mucosa leading to voice change.³

Parkinsonism, myasthenia, traumatic brain injury and movement disorders can cause tremors, weakness or strained voice quality. Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and other autoimmune disorders can cause voice changes such as paralysis in RA. Endocrine problems such as hypothyroidism can cause edema of the vocal folds leading to decrease in pitch. Thyroid cancer can cause vocal fold paralysis. A history of radiation secondary to malignancies in the head and neck can cause vocal fold scarring leading to voice change.¹

Personality and psychiatric disorders also lead to diagnosis. The outgoing, type A personality usually has vocal fold nodules; while inhibited and shy persons have functional dysphonias.⁵ Traumatic life events are also very important to take note of.

History of surgery for neck trauma, thyroid nodules or malignancies, spine, cardiac, pulmonary and brain surgeries or previous endotracheal intubation can cause voice changes, usually related to vocal fold mobility problems. ¹

Medications such as inhalational steroids for asthma can cause fungal laryngitis. ARB and ACE inhibitors for hypertension can cause non specific vocal fold masses. Antitussives, decongestants, antihistamines and Vitamin C are known to cause dryness of the vocal folds.  Pills with sexual hormones can cause either elevations or decreases in pitch.⁶

Smoking can cause polypoid conditions in the vocal folds, pre-malignant or malignant changes. Intake of alcohol, diet and lifestyle can contribute to reflux problems and dysphonia.

Physical Examination

Hearing the patient and forming a subjective impression of the patient’s voice should automatically be part of the interview process. Ranking the voice according to a standard scale is subjective but becomes increasingly reproducible and precise with training and experience.

Voice can be evaluated according to pitch, loudness, and vocal quality.

Pitch is the highness or lowness of the voice. Is the speaking voice too low for the soprano? This could be the problem why a trained singer would have dysphonia. Does the woman sound like a man over the phone? This could be Reinke’s edema, maybe she is a smoker as well. Does the adult male suddenly speak with elevated pitch? This could be vocal fold paralysis.

Loudness is the power of the voice. This is due to the source of power, the lungs. Posture, type of breathing, technique or training can affect this. Systemic problems like generalized weakness and cachexia are contributory. Of course pulmonary problems can contribute to decreased power.

Voice quality can be evaluated using the GRBAS system.⁷   Just hearing the voice and using this system is helpful in making an impression.

G- grade

R- roughness

B- breathiness

A- asthenia

S- strain

GRBAS uses a 0 to 3 scale (0= normal or absence of deviance; 1=slight deviance; 2=moderate deviance; 3= severe deviance).

Grade relates to the overall voice quality, integrating all deviant components

GRBAS

Sounds

Probable Conditions

Roughness

Grainy quality; diplophonic

Vocal fold masses such as nodules, polyps, cysts, laryngitis

Breathiness

Airy

Unilateral paralysis, bowing, atrophy, abductor spasmodic dysphonia

Asthenia

No voice

Bilateral paralysis in paramedian position, vocal fold atrophy

Strain

Tight quality

Abductor spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia

Head and Neck Examination

Palpating the neck, especially the base of the tongue, and neck muscles which are tense and tender can be suggestive of an ongoing muscle tension dysphonia as a cause of the voice change.⁸ Thyroid masses, neck nodes, etc can be helpful in leading the clinician to a diagnosis.

Visualizing the larynx has evolved as advances in technology have improved the understanding of vocal fold anatomy, physiology and voice production.

At present, there is no single laryngeal examination tool that is superior to the others. What is important is that it gives a thorough visualization of the anatomy and a good functional evaluation of the larynx. Selecting the appropriate instrumentation will be possible if we recognize the advantages and limitations of the diagnostic tool we are using.⁹ Sometimes, a combination of these tools is important to make an accurate diagnosis.

Advantages and Limitations of the Different Instruments to Visualize the Larynx

Instrument

Advantages

Limitations

Indirect Mirror Laryngoscopy

Readily available; inexpensive

Gives a gross idea of the anatomy; mobility; mucus; and mass (if big enough)

Limited in patients who are hypergag; patient is not in a normal physiologic position; hard to detect paresis and small lesions

Transnasal Flexible laryngoscopy

Helpful for hypergag patients; patients physiology involving the tongue, pharynx and palate are well visualized; can assess paresis from paralysis; can be recorded for review

Small lesions are hard to differentiate; color might not be reliable depending on the camera; may be expensive

Rigid 70 or 90 degrees laryngoscope

Extremely clear and magnified view; less expensive; can be recorded for review

Limited in patients who are hypergag; patient is not in a normal physiologic position; hard to detect paresis and muscle tension dysphonia

Videostroboscopy¹⁰

Provides a slow motion evaluation of vocal fold vibratory pattern, closure, mucosal wave; can differentiate benign vocal fold lesions

Expensive; requires additional training

Some helpful vocal tasks when using a flexible scope:

Task

Endoscopic Findings

/ii/

Adduction

Sniff

Abduction

Hee-hee-hee

Either decreased adduction or abduction

Sniff then /ii/

Fatigues the vocal folds; detects paresis/ weakness

/ii/ glide form low to high pitch

ability to lengthen the vocal folds

Despite technological advances in laryngology, a good history and physical examination are still crucial in the diagnosis of voice disorders. Certain clues can be provided by a good history that especially point to a hoarse patient. Because no single instrument is superior for visualization of the larynx, it is important to recognize the advantages and limitations of each.