Quantitative and objective evaluation of vocal cord function.

Abstract

Objective and quantitative evaluation of vocal cord function is a goal that has been difficult for voice clinicians to obtain. To be useful as a clinical screening tool it must be easy to perform, it must produce numerical storable data, it must have a high degree of accuracy, and it must be cost-effective. The results of this study have shown that using the perturbation factor and the equipment described, a successful rate of greater than 93% can be obtained in evaluating vocal cord dysfunction. The results further indicate that this equipment can be used much in the same way as an audiogram to follow-up and clinically evaluate on an objective basis the function of the vocal cords.