Biomedical subjects

D J Zajac

Publications and source records attributed to D J Zajac.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Age and gender effects on nasal respiratory function in normal subjects.

One hundred and ninety-seven normal individuals between the ages of 5 and 73 years were evaluated to determine nasal resistance, nasal cross-sectional area, and respiratory mode during quiet breathing. Subjects were categorized into three age groups. Nasal resistance and respiratory mode were directly determined using posterior rhinomanometry and the SNORT technique, respectively. Nasal cross-sectional area was estimated using the hydrokinetic equation. Results indicated significant effects of age on all variables; significant gender differences were found for respiratory mode. Weak correlations were found between respiratory mode and nasal resistance. The results are presented as normative data on nasorespiratory characteristics to facilitate diagnostic and treatment decisions relative to individuals with normal morphology as well as to patients with craniofacial anomalies. A fundamental issue of both clinical and theoretical importance arising from the study pertains to the definitions of normality and impairment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Accuracy of the pressure-flow method in estimating induced velopharyngeal orifice area: effects of the flow coefficient.

A two-part study was conducted to determine the accuracy of the pressure-flow method in estimating induced velopharyngeal orifice areas when the flow coefficient k was empirically determined. In Study 1, short tubes, 4.5 cm in length and with internal diameters of 3.2, 4.8, and 6.4 mm, were placed in a model of the vocal tract, and the associated flow coefficients were calculated. In Study 2, the 4.8-mm internal diameter tube was inserted into the nasopharynx of a normal adult subject to induce oronasal coupling during production of the syllable/pa/. Results for the human subject revealed that the error between the known and estimated orifice areas was approximately 7%. This finding indicates that the pressure-flow technique is accurate when the flow coefficient of the orifice is known. It is suggested that future research attempt to estimate flow coefficients associated with the geometry of the human velopharyngeal orifice in order to improve the accuracy of the pressure-flow technique.

Humans↗

PubMed1989

Voice perturbations of children with perceived nasality and hoarseness.

Cycle-to-cycle variations in voice fundamental frequency (jitter) and amplitude (shimmer) were derived by electroglottography for 10 children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Jitter was found to be positively correlated with ratings of perceived nasality, whereas shimmer was found to be positively correlated with ratings of perceived hoarseness. Theoretic implications for a regulatory model of speech aerodynamics are discussed. Additionally, clinical applications, in terms of using electroglottography as a supplemental assessment procedure, are suggested.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of a pressure target on laryngeal airway resistance in children.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an intraoral air pressure target on estimation of laryngeal airway resistance (LAR) in normal children. Ten children produced the syllable /pi/ (a) with self-determined normal loudness, (b) with increased loudness, and (c) at a predetermined intraoral air pressure level of 6.5 to 7.5 cm of water. The target pressure level was selected because it was expected to result in estimated subglottal pressures that were lower than those associated with self-determined loudness levels. Results indicated significant differences in estimated subglottal pressure among the three conditions. As expected, estimated subglottal pressures were highest during loud speech and lowest during the pressure target task. LAR values associated with normal loudness were similar to values previously reported for children. The use of the pressure target resulted in LAR values that were reduced by 31% from normal loudness. These resistance values, however, were still greater than those reported for adult speakers at similar subglottal pressure levels. The results are explained relative to preferred loudness levels and vocal tract size differences in children and adults. It is suggested that use of a pressure target during estimation of LAR in children may provide additional data that more accurately reflect the aerodynamic integrity of the larynx. Implications for clinical assessment are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of acoustic and perceptual factors on perceived hypernasality in the vowel.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of acoustic and perceptual factors of speech on listeners' perceived hypernasality in the vowel [i]. The isolated syllable [pi] produced by 22 children with hypernasal speech and 6 noncleft children was rated by 10 listeners. These speech samples were then divided into two groups: (1) the samples (n = 14) that received inconsistent ratings from each listener or variable ratings among listeners (i.e., unreliable ratings) and (2) the samples (n = 14) that received consistent ratings from each listener and similar ratings among listeners (i.e., reliable ratings). These results suggest that the severity of hypernasality was easy to rate in some speech samples and not in others. Voice quality deviation and a particular type of spectral change that related to the severity of hypernasality could be factors that influence perceived hypernasality.

Adolescent↗