A new tool for measuring breathing and airflow for voice problems
Official title: Vital capacity & airflow measurement for voice evaluation: A vortex whistle system
Funded at University of Central Florida · NIH-11129798 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating an affordable, easy-to-use device to help speech-language pathologists better understand breathing and airflow for people with voice problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $614,676 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020799-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129798 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who experience voice disorders and need a comprehensive evaluation of their respiratory and phonatory airflow would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose voice problems are not related to respiratory capacity or airflow, or those not seeking voice evaluation, may not directly benefit from this specific tool.
What this research studies
Many people with voice problems might also have issues with how they breathe and use air when speaking. Currently, the tools to measure these aspects are often very expensive, meaning not all voice specialists can use them. This project is creating a unique, low-cost device called a 'vortex whistle' along with special software to accurately measure your breathing capacity and how air flows when you make sounds. This new system aims to give your voice specialist a much clearer picture of how your breathing affects your voice, helping them better understand and address your specific voice concerns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new tool could lead to more accurate and accessible voice evaluations, helping more people receive appropriate care for their voice disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of using vortex whistles for airflow measurement exists, this specific application and optimization for clinical voice evaluation is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Central Florida
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Awan, Shaheen — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Awan, Shaheen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.