Effects of Nasal Obstruction due to Nasal Polyposis on Nasal Resonance and Voice Perception

Objective: The aim of this study was to use subjective and objective methods to investigate the effects of total or nearly total nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis on nasal resonance and voice perception. Patients and Methods: A total of 63 nasal polyposis patients (53 men and 10 women), aged between 19 and 72 years (mean age 37.01 +/- 13.70), were included in the study. The severity of the nasal obstruction was assessed using a visual analog scale. Nasal resonance and voice perception were evaluated subjectively by the voice handicap index (VHI)-10 questionnaire and objectively by computerized analysis (nasometry) before and after treatment of patients with nasal polyposis. Results: Significant improvement was seen in the nasal obstruction values in all patients (100%; p < 0.001) and in the VHI-10 scores in 62 patients (98%; p < 0.001). Nasalance scores increased in all patients following treatment (100%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Voice perception is negatively affected by nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis, and changes in voice perception may arise after the surgery. Before the surgery, informing the patient about potential voice perception changes may be useful for the prevention of legal disputes. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel