Comparative analysis of voice quality in individuals with allergic rhinitis and normophonic individuals without allergic rhinitis using AVQI, CPPS, MPT, and self-assessment tools

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of allergic rhinitis and its severity on voice quality in a multidimensional manner.

Methods: Sixty-six adults with allergic rhinitis and fourty five normophonic adults without allergic rhinitis were included in the study. Medical history, skin prick test, endoscopic nasal examination, Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), laryngeal imaging, Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), Cepstral Peak Prominence Smoothed (CPPS), aerodynamic measurements (/a/,/s/,/z/ and s/z ratio), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD), Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), and auditory perceptual assessment (GRBAS) tools were used for evaluation.

Results: Allergic rhinitis is associated with adverse effects on the vocal tract, with discomfort increasing as the severity of rhinitis worsens.

Conclusion: Voice-protective practices appear important to minimize the risk of dysphonia in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Dysphonia; Multidimensional voice assessment; Rhinitis severity; Voice quality.