02569nas a2200241 4500008004100000022002500041245013000066210006900196260001600265520177700281100001902058700002402077700002102101700001902122700001602141700001402157700002202171700001902193700002002212700003002232700002402262856004102286 2022 eng d a0023-852X, 1531-499500aAcoustic Screening of the “Wet voice”: Proof of Concept in an ex vivo Canine Laryngeal Model0 aAcoustic Screening of the Wet voice Proof of Concept in an iex v cDec-19-20223 a

Background
Current protocols for bedside swallow evaluation have high rates of false negative results. Though experts are not consistently able to screen for aspiration risk by assessing vocal quality, there is emerging evidence that vocal acoustic parameters are significantly different in patients at risk of aspiration. Herein, we aimed to determine whether the presence of material on the vocal folds in an excised canine laryngeal model may have an impact on acoustic and aerodynamic measures.

Methods
Two ex vivo canine larynges were tested. Three liquids of different viscosities (1:100 diluted glycerin, pure glycerin, and honey-thick Varibar) were placed on the vocal folds at a constant volume. Acoustic and aerodynamic measures were obtained in both adducted and abducted vocal fold configurations. Intraglottal high-speed imaging was used to approximate the maximum divergence angle of the larynges in the studied conditions and examine its relationship to vocal efficiency (VE) and acoustic measures.

Results
In glottic insufficiency conditions only, we found that several acoustic parameters could predict the presence of material on the vocal folds. Based on the combination of the aerodynamic and acoustic data, we found that decreased spectral energy in the higher harmonics was associated with decreased VE in the presence of material on the vocal folds and/or glottic insufficiency.

Conclusion
Decreased spectral energy in the higher harmonics of the voice was found to be a potential biomarker of swallowing dysfunction, as it correlates with decreased vocal efficiency due to material on the vocal folds and/or glottic insufficiency, both of which are known risk factors for aspiration.

1 aRameau, Anaïs1 aAndreadis, Katerina1 aGanesan, Vinayak1 aLachs, Mark, S1 aRosen, Tony1 aWang, Fei1 aMaddox, Alexandra1 aKlinck, Holger1 aKhosla, Sid, M.1 ade Luzan, Charles, Farbos1 aMadhusudhana, Shyam uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lary.30525