Department Otorhinolaryngology
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Voice disorders (hoarseness) are a common condition manifesting in almost 10% of the population. The causes of hoarseness can be related to common respiratory diseases and/or to vocal fatigue caused by vocal overload, however it can also be related to functional, behavioral, neurologic factors and both benign and malignant laryngeal tumors. Hoarseness can also be an early symptom of laryngeal cancer.
The VoiceScreen app requires the user to perform two simple tasks: 1). Sustain a vowel [a:] sound for 4 seconds, 2) Read the provided sentence.
The users’ voice is recorded and then analyzed extracting six acoustic voice function parameters which are then weighted and merged together to provide the user with the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) of his/her voice. The value of AVQI as a clinical marker of overall voice
quality has already been proven across multiple studies revealing adequate diagnostic accuracy.
The AVQI values do not depend on gender and age.
The VoiceScreen app calculates and displays the value of AVQI and also provides the user with recommendations based on the test results. The provided recommendations should be taken as guidance on what to do next to help the user’s voice.
The aim of a screening tool is providing identification of individuals who should undergo further diagnostic procedures to more precisely define the presence and nature of the disorder. To ensure an early visit to an otolaryngologist, self-screening and screening healthy or at-risk populations for early signs of a voice abnormality, seems to be useful and promising, because many laryngeal/voice disorders may be most successfully treated if detected early
The VoiceScreen app is developed by a Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania research and development group which consists of medical doctors, researchers and signal processing engineers.
Professor Virgilijus Ulozas is a Head of Department of Otorhinolaryngology, LUHS, former President of Lithuanian Otorhinolaryngological Scociety.
His current research interests include automated acoustic voice analysis, phonosurgery and voice rehabilitation, IT in laryngology, molecular biomarkers of laryngeal tumors, experimental models of head and neck tumors. Professor Virgilijus Ulozas is a Member of the Executive Board of the IFOS (International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies), Board Member of International Association of Phonosurgery, Board Member of PEVOC (Pan-European Voice Conference), Member of the Union of European Phoniatricians.