Frequency of Voice Changes during Covid-19 Infections: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Communication is defined as the phenomenon found specifically in animal species. It was however refined and modified only by the human species. Language and speech are two basic areas that fall under the umbrella of communication. With these processes also comes the impending danger of abnormal speech and language, leading to the development of their disorders. Objectives: Reporting the frequency changes in the voice of patients who are positive of covid-19. Methods: Application of cross-section study type of retrospective nature was steered. Details were extracted from 2 trust hospitals of Lahore, UOL Teaching Hospital and Arif Memorial Hospital. Convenient based sample accumulation technique was applied for data assembly from subjects. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) , was used for the evaluation of patient perceived voice changes. Results: Data of 379 patients of Covid-19 infection was compiled. Shaky and weak voice, unclear voice and change in voice observed at the end of the day were all highlighted as voice changes in subjects. Out of 379, 263 experience shaky and weak voice to some extent which meant 69.4% of the participants experienced this. 241 out of 379 experienced problems with voice clarity and complained about not being able to speak clearly, meaning 63.6% faced this issue. 242 experienced change of voice over the passage of time in entire day, indicating 63.9% experienced this. Conclusion: Weak voice or having a shaky voice, having voice that was not clear enough to be understood by others, and feeling a change is voice quality over the day were considered as pointers of voice change. collecting and analyzing the data, the investigation concluded that voice changes were observed in individuals during Covid-19 infection.