Characterizing the Impact of Presbyphonia on Social Interaction
Matthew R. Hoffman
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if presbyphonia, or voice disorder caused by age-related change in the larynx, is associated with change in social interaction. This proposal investigates the impact of voice impairment in older adults on social interaction, loneliness, social disconnectedness, and depression. A series of questionnaires, voice assessments, and interviews will be performed to improve our understanding of how voice disorders affect older adults and how treatment of voice impairment with voice therapy may improve quality of life.
Description
During the study visit, all subjects (including the control group) will be given ten questionnaires asking them to rate their loneliness and quality of life in relation to the changes in their voice. All participants will undergo audiometry to assess hearing (with hearing aids if used at home). If they do not pass the hearing test, they will be screened out of the study. Participants will then provide a required voice sample using sustained vowels for 3-5 seconds 5 times each, repeating six standard sentences, and 20 seconds of natural conversational speech. Using this voice recording, the fo…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of presbyphonia with findings of presbylaryngis on videostroboscopy, with findings of bilateral true vocal fold atrophy and normal vocal fold motion bilaterally * Able to complete all questionnaires and voice assessment tasks * Normal to mild hearing loss in aided condition (with hearing aids) Exclusion Criteria: * Liquid dysphagia or pneumonia in the last year * Vocal fold lesion/scar/motion impairment * Neurologic disorder affecting the voice * Montreal cognitive assessment score \<26 or \<25 if 12 or fewer years of formal education
Interventions
- OtherPhoRTE Program
Speech therapy program guided by a speech language pathologist. This program includes in person or virtual visits and at home exercises.
- OtherUniversity of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale
A questionnaire measuring levels of loneliness.
- OtherSocial Disconnectedness Scale
A questionnaire that asks about social network size and the frequency of social activities attended.
- OtherPatient Health Questionnaire 9
A questionnaire measuring levels of depression.
- OtherAging Voice Index
A questionnaire of patient-reported voice outcome measures designed to capture the quality of life impact of dysphonia in older adults.
- OtherThe Edmonton Frail Scale
Location
- University of Iowa Hospitals & ClinicsIowa City, Iowa