Echoes of the larynx: harnessing acoustic analysis as a key tool for monitoring laryngeal health in inhalational therapy patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated laryngeal changes and voice quality in patients with obstructive lung disease treated with combination inhalational agents.

METHODS

A prospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital in southern India included 112 newly diagnosed obstructive lung disease patients. Initial assessments involved history-taking, clinical examination, direct laryngoscopy and voice analysis using PRAAT® software. Parameters such as mean pitch, jitter, shimmer, harmonic-to-noise ratio and maximum phonation time were measured, with follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean age of 43.05 years. Progressive laryngeal changes, including oedema (5.3 per cent) and hyperaemia (7.1 per cent), were noted by 12 months. Significant increases in shimmer and jitter, along with decreases in harmonic-to-noise ratio and maximum phonation time, indicated deteriorating voice quality (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Long-term inhalational corticosteroid use in obstructive lung disease patients leads to progressive laryngeal changes and voice deterioration, emphasising the need for vocal function monitoring and preventive strategies.