Spectrographic Analysis of Fundamental Frequency and Hoarseness before and after Vocal Rehabilitation

Abstract

Spectrographic analysis was used as a clinical tool to describe and compare fundamental frequencies and hoarseness in dysphonic patients before and after vocal rehabilitation and to evaluate a technique for locating the natural or optimal pitch level. The results indicated that 150 out of 155 patients were using too low a pitch before therapy. Before therapy, varying degrees of hoarseness were found in all 27 patients. After therapy, the patients were basically free of hoarseness. Three months to seven years after the completion of vocal rehabilitation, 98% of the 128 patients who were reexamined had remained excellent or good.