ABSTRACT

Nose is a resonator organ in production of voice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nasal obstruction caused by nasal polyposis on voice quality subjectively.

Thirty-six patients diagnosed with nasal polyposis were included in the study. The 30-item voice handicap index 30 was used in order to evaluate subjective status of voice. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography imaging of the paranasal sinuses were performed for each patient. Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores and Lund-MacKay computed tomography scores were evaluated. Control group composed of 20 healthy subjects.

The mean voice handicap score in the patient group was 43.16 (SD 15.53) and it was 2.15 (SD 1.92) in control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.001). The mean Lund-Kennedy and Lund-Mackay scores were 8.58 (SD 2.5) and 17 (SD 5.52), respectively. It was found that increased severity of nasal polyposis was the cause for decreased satisfaction with voice quality.

Nasal obstruction caused by nasal polyposis affects voice quality adversely and as the severity of nasal polyposis increases, satisfaction with voice quality decreases.