The Use Of Supraglottic Constrictions In Singing

Supraglottic activity is usually associated with hyper-functional voice disorders and is considered as a reflection of vocal misuse and abuse.

Even though both medial and anterior-posterior compressions have been accepted as endoscopic signs of vocal hyperfunction, several studies have observed that supraglottic activity may also be present in normal speaking and singing voice production.

The degree of supraglottic activity may be influenced by several independent variables that commonly change during regular voice production (e.g. level of loudness, pitch, and phonatory task).

Previous studies have evaluated specific variables that may affect the degree of supraglottic tissue displacement in professional voice users.

The present course was designed to provide information about the variables that influence supraglottic activity in singing and why this activity should not be necessarily considered as a sign of vocal hyperfunction.