Context: Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTEs) helps to change the acoustic vocal tract impedance in relation to the glottal impedance, improving voice quality. SOVTE has been divided into two groups: steady and fluctuating SOVTEs based on their source of vibration and acoustic characteristics. Aims: The aim of the study was to examine and compare the difference between steady and fluctuating SOVTE with phonation of/a/and/E/on electroglottography and F1–F0 analysis. Settings and Design: Survey design. Study Type: Consort type of study. Materials and Methods: Hundred male participants within the age range of 18–25 years were selected for the study. All the participants were asked to phonate (a) and (E) vowels at a constant pitch for at least 3 s, then all samples were recorded. Assessment of contact quotient percentage value in electroglottography and PRAAT software were used for F1–F0 analysis. Data processing was done on Excel spreadsheet and scoring was processed by SPSS software. Statistical analysis used: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS Statistics was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean ± standard deviation and one-way ANOVA revealed that the significant difference was obtained at P < 0.05 in between the steady and fluctuating SOVTEs with phonation of/a/and/E/on EGG parameter and acoustic measure (F1–F0). Conclusions: The study suggested that contact quotient percentage and F1–FO (Hz) value in phonation of/E/are more than/a/. It indicates that phonation of/E/with SOVTEs has more effective in voice disorders than the phonation of/a/and that can be beneficial for treatment of organic voice disorders.

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Nerve injury is common in various specialties. Apart from the traditional end-to-end direct repair in limited nerve injuries, there are many new techniques that are being investigated worldwide. At the moment, synthetic nerve grafts, called scaffolds, made by tissue-friendly materials and covered by different kinds of cells such as Schwann cells or stem cells are being tested. In order to maximize the tissue integration and accelerate the nerve regeneration, various nerve growth factors are being used as well with promising results. Otolaryngology patients will certainly benefit from most of these techniques as facial nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, ear hair cells, and other kinds of nerves could be generated using innovative treatments in the future. The aim of this article is to review the main advancements in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) nerve regeneration. A literature review was performed in PubMed and Medline databases using the following keywords: nerve regeneration, neuroregeneration, otolaryngology, ENT, head, and neck. A significant number of articles and reviews were found as well as trials on nerve regeneration in otolaryngology. Many different techniques are being investigated currently in order to regenerate damaged nerves. It is a very complex procedure as it requires axonal regrowth in the correct direction as well as sensory and motor function restoration to full. The gold standard nowadays remains the end-to-end primary repair; nevertheless, there are various other methods with very promising results.

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Healthcare professionals globally are facing challenges with the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Otolaryngologists are at a higher risk of exposure to aerosols from potential sources. Innovations to mitigate aerosols and deliver optimum patient care are the need of the hour. We aim to highlight a modified face shield that can be safely used for outpatient fiberoptic laryngoscopy.

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