Investigating voice changes in noisy environments for people with muscle tension dysphonia
Official title: The Lombard effect in muscle tension dysphonia: mechanistic and clinical characterization
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11057899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | September 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,382 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC021863-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia who experience persistent voice symptoms in noisy environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without muscle tension dysphonia or those who do not experience voice difficulties in noisy settings may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aaron, Allison — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Aaron, Allison
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.