Vocal Characteristics in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Hamdan, Abdul-Latif; Deeb, Reem; Sibai, Abla; Rameh, Charbel; Rifai, Hani; Fayyad, John

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2007.09.004

« Previous Next »Journal of Voice
Volume 23, Issue 2 , Pages 190-194, March 2009

Vocal Characteristics in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abdul-Latif Hamdan
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Abdul-Latif H. Hamdan, Department of Otolaryngology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Hamra, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon.
Reem Deeb
- Department of Fine Arts and Art History, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Abla Sibai
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Charbel Rameh
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Hani Rifai
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
John Fayyad
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University Faculty of Medicine, St George Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon

Accepted 10 September 2007. published online 14 December 2007.

Summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate vocal changes in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nineteen children diagnosed to have ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria and 19 controls were enrolled in this study. They underwent vocal perceptual evaluation and acoustic analysis. Hoarseness, breathiness, strain, and loudness were graded on a scale of 0–3. The following acoustic parameters were recorded: Fundamental frequency, Shimmer, Relative average perturbation, Noise-to-Harmony ratio, Voice Turbulence Index, and Habitual pitch. Children with ADHD were perceived to have significantly more hoarseness, breathiness, and straining in their voice. They were also louder compared to controls. There were no significant changes in the acoustic parameters except for the Fundamental frequency, which was lower in the ADHD group. The vocal behavior in children with ADHD is different than controls. Early diagnosis of such behavior in this group of children is important.

Key Words: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Hoarseness, Voice, Children, Tension