Vocal Fold Adjustment Caused by Phonation Into a Tube: A Double-Case Study Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objectives. Phonation into a tube is a widely used method for vocal training and therapy. Previous studies and practical experience show that the phonation becomes easier and louder after such an exercise. The purpose of this study was to find out whether there are systematic changes in the vocal fold adjustment after the exercise.

Methods. Two volunteer subjects (1 male and 1 female) without voice disorders were examined with computed tomography (CT). Both produced a sustained vowel [a:] at comfortable pitch and loudness before and after the tube phonation and a vowel-like phonation into the tube. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained before, during, and after the exercise, twice for each condition. The gathered CT images were used for measurements of vertical vocal fold thickness, bulkiness, length, and glottal width.

Results. No prominent trends common to both subjects were found in vocal fold adjustment during and after the phonation into the tube. Variability observed under the same conditions was usually of the same magnitude as the changes before and after the tube phonation.

Conclusions. Changes in vocal tract configuration observed after the resonance tube exercises in previous related studies were more prominent than the changes in vocal fold configuration observed here.