A Clinical Method for Estimating Laryngeal Airway Resistance during Vowel Production

TLDR

To describe a noninvasive clinical method for estimating laryngeal airway resistance during vowel production. The method calculates resistance as the ratio of translaryngeal pressure—derived from oral pressure—to translaryngeal flow—derived from airway‑opening flow during a specially designed utterance—and is illustrated in clinical case studies. Application of the method to 15 normal adult males produced a mean resistance of 35.7 cm H₂O/LPS, comparable to invasive studies, and was found to be clinically practical, valid, reliable, and promising as a routine tool.

Abstract

A noninvasive clinical method for estimating laryngeal airway resistance during vowel production is described. Resistance is calculated from the ratio of translaryngeal pressure to translaryngeal flow, the first determined from measurement of oral pressure and the second determine from measurement of airway-opening flow made during the production of a specially designed utterance. Application of the method to the study of vowels resulted in a calculated mean laryngeal airway resistance of 35.7 cm H 2 O/LPS for 15 normal adult males. This resistance value is remarkably similar to mean values obtained in previous research using complex invasive experimental methods. Clinical use of the method is illustrated in case studies that highlight both evaluation and management potentials. It is concluded that the method proposed is clinically practical, that the data it provides are both valid and reliable, and that the method shows great promise of becoming a routine clinical tool for estimating laryngeal airway resistance during vowel production.