Graduate Program

Communication Disorders and Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2006

Thesis Director

Rebecca Throneburg

Thesis Committee Member

Frank Goldacker

Thesis Committee Member

Mary Anne Hanner

Abstract

This study investigated the validity of the s/z ratio as a voice screening tool. Twenty female subjects, ten with vocal fold pathology and ten normal control subjects, participated in the current research project. Results indicated that although the s/z ratio was higher for the disordered group than the normal group, the difference was not significant (p=.18). Sensitivity equaled 90% while specificity equaled 50% when 1.1 was used as the cutoff value. When 1.4 was used as the cutoff value, sensitivity was 30% while specificity was 80%. In addition, there was a weak relationship between the clinician's perception of the size of the vocal pathology (roughness of the vocal folds) and the s/z value for the vocal pathology group. Overall, results indicated that the s/z ratio was not a reliable screening tool to differentiate 10 participants who present with vocal fold pathology and 10 participants without vocal fold pathology.

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