Vocal motor control and central auditory impairments in unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Molly L. Naunheim, Katherine C. Yung, Sarah L. Schneider, Jennifer Henderson-Sabes, Hardik Kothare, Danielle Mizuiri, David J. Klein, John F. Houde, Srikantan S. Nagarajan, Steven W. Cheung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate differences in vocal motor control and central auditory processing between treated unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) and healthy control cohorts. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Ten UVFP study patients treated by type I thyroplasty with stable voices were compared to 12 control subjects for vocal motor control using a pitch perturbation response task and central auditory processing performance using a battery of complex sound intelligibility assays that included adverse temporal and noise conditions. Standard clinical evaluations of voice production and peripheral audiometric sensitivity were performed. Results: Vocal motor control was impaired in treated UVFP. The UVFP cohort exhibited a 32.5% reduction in the instantaneous, subconscious compensatory response to pitch feedback perturbation in the interval between 150 ms and 550 ms following onset (P < 0.0001, linear mixed effects model). This impairment cannot simply be ascribed to vocal motor capacity insufficiency in the UVFP cohort because both cohorts demonstrated comparable functional capacity to perform the vocal motor task. The UVFP cohort also showed greater propensity for central auditory processing impairment (P < 0.05), notably for temporal compression and added noise challenges. Conclusion: Combined central vocal motor control and auditory processing impairments in treated UVFP highlight reciprocal interdependency of sensory and motor systems. This pilot study suggests that peripheral motor impairment of the larynx can degrade central auditory processing, which in turn may contribute to vocal motor control impairment. A more complete restoration communicative function in UVFP will require deeper understanding of sensory, motor, and sensorimotor aspects of the human communication loop. Level of Evidence: 3b. Laryngoscope, 129:2112–2117, 2019.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2112-2117
Number of pages6
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume129
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2019

Keywords

  • Unilateral vocal fold paralysis
  • central auditory processing
  • communication loop
  • pitch perturbation
  • vocal production

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vocal motor control and central auditory impairments in unilateral vocal fold paralysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this