Investigating voice changes in noisy environments for people with muscle tension dysphonia

The Lombard effect in muscle tension dysphonia: mechanistic and clinical characterization

NIH-funded research Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11057899

This study is looking at how people with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) change their voice when talking in noisy places, to better understand their voice challenges and help create better treatments for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11057899 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how individuals with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) experience voice changes when speaking in noisy environments. It aims to identify the mechanisms behind persistent voice symptoms that many individuals with MTD face, which can hinder their ability to communicate effectively. By examining how these individuals adjust their vocal intensity in response to background noise, the study seeks to improve voice assessment and treatment strategies tailored to their needs. The research will involve both clinical assessments and experimental designs to gather data on auditory-motor integration in these challenging acoustic settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia who experience persistent voice symptoms in noisy environments.

Not a fit: Patients without muscle tension dysphonia or those who do not experience voice difficulties in noisy settings may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment options for individuals with muscle tension dysphonia.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary evidence suggests that atypical auditory-motor integration in individuals with MTD has been observed, indicating that this research could build on existing findings, though comprehensive studies on this specific topic are limited.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.