Análise perceptivo-auditiva da voz e autoavaliação vocal durante a menopausa

Abstract

Objective: to verify possible vocal changes in menopausal women. Methods: cross-sectional observational study, in which participated 50 healthy women, with ages between 41 and 55 years old. Two instruments of vocal self-evaluation were applied, the voices were analyzed through the RASATI scale and the phonatory capacity was verified. Results: regarding to vocal self-assessment, menopausal women present greater vocal disadvantage in the limitation, emotional, functional and organic domains and bigger vocal symptoms in the total domain of both protocols. In the evaluation of the maximum phonation time, the study group presented statistically significant reduced times compared to the control group. In the RASATI scale the most frequent change in the study group was roughness and instability, being statistically significant the difference in the amount of women in the aspects hoarseness, roughness and tension. Asthenia and grades 2-3 and 3 were not observed in any of the women in the sample. Conclusion: women at menopause have more vocal symptoms, more women with reduced maximum phonation times, and more women with altered aspects on the RASATI scale compared to the control group.