Scope system will enhance research

Direct Observation of Vocal Fold Activity

Associate professors Richard Morris and Julie Stierwalt of the Department of Communication Disorders and two colleagues received a grant in April from the Equipment and Infrastructure Enhancement Grant program of the Florida State University Research Foundation. The grant allowed them to purchase a stroboscopic endolaryngoscope system. This system will allow the researchers to view the vocal folds and other pharyngeal and laryngeal structures. The system includes two endoscopes (rigid and flexible). The rigid scope goes in the mouth and is used for observing the vocal folds and surrounding structures. The flexible scope is passed through the nose and allows viewing of the opening of the nasopharynx (opening between the nose and mouth) as well as pharyngeal and laryngeal structures.

The process of endoscopy will enhance research projects by providing a means to directly observe vocal fold activity. Proposed projects that will utilize endoscopy include measurements of voice changes across women’s menstrual cycles, observations of signs of vocal distress among chorus teachers, and observations of vocal adjustments during trained singing maneuvers. In addition to speech and singing studies, the scope system will be used to evaluate pharyngeal and laryngeal activity during swallowing.

Both faculty members look forward to using the scope system in their own future research as well as collaborative projects with faculty members from other Florida State University departments.