Waldemar Wojnowski

Publications of Waldemar Wojnowski

• [The smokers voice self assessment based on Voice Handicap Index (VHI)].

  Authors: Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 01/2009; 66(10):565-6.

  Complex voice assessment due to European Laryngeal Society proposals (2000) contains voice self estimation based on the Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). This study focuses on theComplex voice assessment due to European Laryngeal Society proposals (2000) contains voice self estimation based on the Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). This study focuses on the relation between voice handicap and smoking in dysphonic patients, who are using voice professionally. Thirty outpatient (25 female and 5 male, aged 40 to 55 years) voice department attendees suffering from professional dysphonia took part in this study. All patients after phoniatric examination completed the Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). The questions concern functional, emotional and physical complains due to dysphonia. Most of smokers did not complain of dysphonia related problems comparing to non smokers. Even the scores of functional and emotional scales of VHI in smokers shown better results (less handicap) than in nonsmokers. Smoking does not affect patients handicap due to dysphonia measured in the Voice Handicap Index.

• [Report from the Fourth International Conference: A sound foundation through early amplification--Chicago 6-8 .12.2007].

  Authors: Andrzej Obrebowski, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 01/2008; 62(2):233-5.

• [Further research on speech tests]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Andrzej Obrebowski, Antoni Pruszewicz, Grazyna Demenko, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Piotr Swidziński

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2007; 61(6):979-82.

  INTRODUCTION: The purpose of speech audiometry is to extend the diagnostics of central auditory processes. First audiometric tests were monaural tests introduced in the fifties by Bocca and CalearoINTRODUCTION: The purpose of speech audiometry is to extend the diagnostics of central auditory processes. First audiometric tests were monaural tests introduced in the fifties by Bocca and Calearo to diagnose Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD). Monaural tests are characterized by low redundancy, which allows for deciphering a given word or phrase only if the amount of accessible information exceeds a required minimum. Until now, a new monaural filtered speech test has been drawn up at the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology. The purpose of the research was to draw up and assess the effectiveness of monaural low redundancy tests, in which the acoustic signal has been compressed or noise has been added. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 35 people with normal hearing, aged 16-60, have been examined. The test material included: a compressed speech test, in which the speech signal has been accelerated by 25% with the use of Cool Edit Pro 2.0; the pauses between the words have not been shortened a speech-in-noise test, in which the noise has been added with the use of Cool Edit Pro 2.0. The signal/noise ratio has been set at the level of 10 dB. The examination has been conducted at three different volume levels: 25, 35 and 45 dB. CONCLUSIONS: Best results have been achieved at the volume level of 45 dB (above hearing threshold); There were differences in results at volume levels 25 dB and 35 dB in compressed speech test and at volume level 25 dB in speech in noise. Both tests have shown the influence of age on the test result which suggests undiagnosed CAPD among people (with normal hearing) aged over 55.

• [Polish language dychotomic tests for speech audiometry Part 2: A study of people with normal hearing from various age groups]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Andrzej Obrebowski, Antoni Pruszewicz, Grazyna Demenko, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Teresa Wika, Dariusz Komar

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(4):559-64.

  INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the objective results in the clinical examination of central auditory disorders requires the use of reliable language tests which provide the means for the estimation ofINTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the objective results in the clinical examination of central auditory disorders requires the use of reliable language tests which provide the means for the estimation of patients' audio-verbal communicative skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors present a new set of more difficult language tests in Polish, including a filtered speech test, numeral and verbal dichotic tests and the normal Calearo test. The tests were evaluated on a group of people with good hearing from various age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presented tests are the only existing ones created for the Polish language which expand the diagnostic possibilities in the case of central auditory processing disorders. It was found that there is a right ear predominance in dichotic tests, which grows together with the patient's age. This observation can be very beneficial in practice, allowing for hearing aids to be better fitted.

• [Case reports of congenital laryngeal cysts in children]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Beata Pucher, Michał Grzegorowski, Michał Ryglewicz

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(4):599-601.

  INTRODUCTION: Congenital laryngeal cysts occur as a result of embryological development anomalies. They are usually situated on the lateral wall of the larynx, in the supraglottic region or on theINTRODUCTION: Congenital laryngeal cysts occur as a result of embryological development anomalies. They are usually situated on the lateral wall of the larynx, in the supraglottic region or on the epiglottis. They are mostly diagnosed in childhood. They are present in 2.4% of population and represent only 7% of all benign laryngeal lesions. Needle aspiration or marsupialization does not give long term results. The most effective and minimally invasive way of treatment is complete excision of the cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors present 2 cases of congenital laryngeal cysts in children. Diagnosis was made during direct laryngoscopy. CT and MR confirmed the cystic nature of the lesions. Endoscopic excision with suspension microlaryngoscopy was performed in both children. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In both cases microlaryngeal surgery after diagnostic aspiration was an effective and permanent treatment of congenital laryngeal cyst. It enabled total excision of the lesion and provided the correct function of larynx.

• [Dychotomic tests in Polish for speech audiometry part 1: preparing material for the tests]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Andrzej Obrebowski, Antoni Pruszewicz, Grazyna Demenko, Boiena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Teresa Wika, Dariusz Komar

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(3):385-90.

  INTRODUCTION: Dychotomic tests in speech audiometry are extremely beneficial, especially in diagnosing central auditory processing disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Basing on new articulatory listsINTRODUCTION: Dychotomic tests in speech audiometry are extremely beneficial, especially in diagnosing central auditory processing disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Basing on new articulatory lists (NLA-93), the authors have prepared a new set of language tests, including filtered speech test, numeral and verbal dichotic tests and Calearo test. CONCLUSIONS: The phonetic characteristics of the tests are presented, with special attention paid to their phonetic balance.

• [Subjective assessment of voice functions among teachers taking part in the rehabilitation program]

  Authors: Anna Sinkiewicz, Antoni Pruszewicz, Andrzej Obrebowski, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(3):391-5.

  INTRODUCTION: In daily phoniatric practice, apart from laryngoscopy, another simple and useful method of examining the voice organ is perceptual voice assessment based on the GRBAS scale. AnINTRODUCTION: In daily phoniatric practice, apart from laryngoscopy, another simple and useful method of examining the voice organ is perceptual voice assessment based on the GRBAS scale. An extension to this examination can be the Voice Handicap Index test (VHI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 79 female teachers taking part in a 7-week-long rehabilitation course on voice emission techniques. Before and after the course the participants were subject to phoniatric examination including laryngovideostroboscopy, GRBAS scale assessment and determining the voice handicap index (VHI). RESULTS: After the course, a substantial improvement has been observed in voice emission, perceptual assessment and the VHI test. It has been observed that there is a statistically significant correlation between GRBAS and VHI results and mean phonation time (MPT) measured before and after the course. CONCLUSIONS: The VHI test should be included in complex analysis of the effects of intensive rehabilitation.

• [The characteristic of vocal fold molecular structure]

  Authors: Andrzej Obrebowski, Waldemar Wojnowski, Zofia Obrebowska-Karsznia

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(1):9-14.

  INTRODUCTION: The authors present the layer structure of the vocal fold (by Hirano) indicating at the same time its clinical usefulness in laser chordectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authorsINTRODUCTION: The authors present the layer structure of the vocal fold (by Hirano) indicating at the same time its clinical usefulness in laser chordectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors describe the structure of the basement membrane sphere, i.e. the connection between the epithelium and the superficial layer of lamina propria, and the molecular structure of the extracellular matrix of mucosa. RESULTS: The biomechanical significance of fibre proteins and the extracellular matrix is emphasized with special attention paid to hialuronic acid and fibronectin. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the ultra-structure of the epithelium mucosa connection helps in understanding the mechanism of F0 production. The disorders in cooperation of the biomolecules of lamina propria of the vocal folds can influence the biomechanics of phonation.

• [The teachers health damage and pension related to occupational voice disease]

  Authors: Andrzej Obrebowski, Krzysztof Tuszyński, Anna Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska, Zofia Obrebowska-Karsznia, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2006; 60(1):55-60.

  The current regulations allow in special cases for the acknowledgement of the occupational disease among teachers who suffer from voice disorders. The physician who acts as the adjudicator in ZUSThe current regulations allow in special cases for the acknowledgement of the occupational disease among teachers who suffer from voice disorders. The physician who acts as the adjudicator in ZUS (National Insurance System) usually consults a phoniatrician and determines the percent of the permanent or long-term health damage, which can vary between 10-40%. The aim of the paper was to analyze the evidence which is taken into consideration while determining the percent of health damage and granting the occupational disease pension. The authors present proposition in detail the rules which govern the process of health damage calculation due to advancement of voice disorders, which can be very useful to adjudicating physicians in government and commercial insurance companies.

• [Voice disorders in rheumatoid arthritis]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Michał Karlik, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Marta Walczak

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2005; 59(4):603-6.

  The report presents three patients with coincidence of voice disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Material consisted of 3 females aged 39, 48 and 74 years. Methods included phoniatric examination,The report presents three patients with coincidence of voice disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Material consisted of 3 females aged 39, 48 and 74 years. Methods included phoniatric examination, videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy and acoustic voice analysis MDVP). Results: In the two youngest patients the laryngoscopic changes were located on vocal folds, mostly as yellow nodules. The appropriate mobility of both vocal folds was found. The MDVP analysis particularly revealed changes in parameters describing perturbation of amplitude in both cases. In the third case oedema in the region of the crico-arytenoid joints and vestibular folds were observed. MDVP analysis showed slight disturbances in the parameters describing frequency perturbation.

• [Contraindication for cochlear implantation in Wildervanck's syndrome]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Andrzej Obrebowski, Witold Szyfter, Marta Walczak, Michał Karlik, Katarzyna Kurywczak-Grykiel

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2004; 58(4):803-6.

  A case of 4-year-old boy with Wildervanck's syndrome and associated profound sensorineural hearing loss is presented. The child was disqualified from cochlear implantation following the CT scan ofA case of 4-year-old boy with Wildervanck's syndrome and associated profound sensorineural hearing loss is presented. The child was disqualified from cochlear implantation following the CT scan of petrous pyramids which revealed inner ear malformation. The authors emphasize role of CT imaging in the management of profound sensorineural hearing loss in children before final qualification for cochlear implantation.

• [Voice evaluation after laryngeal trauma]

  Authors: Bozena Wiskirska-Wozńica, Waldemar Wojnowski, Jacek Krasny, Marta Walczak

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2004; 58(3):479-84.

  The authors present phoniatric voice assessment in 9 cases of laryngeal trauma. Vocal cord immobilisation due to iatrogenic cricoarytenoid subluxation was particularly considered.

• [Around dysphagia, dysarthria-dysphonia. Congress report. Tuluza, 22-25 October 2003]

  Authors: Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Andrzej Obrebowski, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2004; 58(3):695-6.

• [Complex voice assessment--Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)]

  Authors: Antoni Pruszewicz, Andrzej Obrebowski, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2004; 58(3):547-9.

  The aim of this work was to present own modification of Jacobson's The Voice Handicap Index, the self-estimation scale of the voice as a one part of the complex voice evaluation. The VHI containsThe aim of this work was to present own modification of Jacobson's The Voice Handicap Index, the self-estimation scale of the voice as a one part of the complex voice evaluation. The VHI contains three groups of questions of physical, emotional and functional subscales, which specify complaints during phonation scored in 4 points (0-4). The presented our own modification of the VHI may be useful in everyday clinical practice.

• [Effect of smoking on phonation]

  Authors: Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica, Andrzej Obrebowski, Piotr Swidziński, Waldemar Wojnowski, Anna Wojciechowska

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 02/2004; 61(10):1068-70.

  The aim of this paper was presentation of voice estimation in smokers, who did not complain of voice disorders. The examination was performed in 20 patients with history of chronic tobacco using (atThe aim of this paper was presentation of voice estimation in smokers, who did not complain of voice disorders. The examination was performed in 20 patients with history of chronic tobacco using (at least 20 years). The videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic voice analysis were performed. The specific changes as in organic dysphonia were found in larynx in both examinations. The most important finding in acoustic voice analysis was abnormal parameter describing vFo--Fundamental Frequency Variation and lower comparing to normal voices fundamental frequency.

• [Parry-Romberg syndrome: communication disorders in a 12-year old boy]

  Authors: Antoni Pruszewicz, Waldemar Wojnowski, Marta Walczak, Anna Zebryk-Stopa

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2003; 57(5):715-7.

  A case of a 12-year-old boy with Parry-Romberg syndrome was presented. Speech and hearing disorders impairing communicative process and abnormalities in the ENT examination, ultrasonography ofA case of a 12-year-old boy with Parry-Romberg syndrome was presented. Speech and hearing disorders impairing communicative process and abnormalities in the ENT examination, ultrasonography of parotid salivary glands, radiological changes of sella turcica were particularly considered.

• [Communication disorders associated with motor neuron disease: MND]

  Authors: Waldemar Wojnowski, Andrzej Obrebowski, Marta Walczak, Bozena Wiskirska-Woźnica

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2003; 57(5):719-23.

  The aim of the paper was to present voice and speech disorders associated with motor neuron disease-MND. Two cases of MND were described. Communication problems--dysphonia and dysartria were one ofThe aim of the paper was to present voice and speech disorders associated with motor neuron disease-MND. Two cases of MND were described. Communication problems--dysphonia and dysartria were one of their early manifestations. It is supposed that sulcus vocalis, which is the result of the degeneration process of the vocal muscle, is the laryngeal presentation of MND.

• [Two cases of rare unilateral sensorineural hearing loss]

  Authors: Andrzej Obrebowski, Marta Walczak, Michał Karlik, Waldemar Wojnowski

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2003; 57(1):115-9.

  We report a case of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and in a patient with haemophilia B and hepatitis C treated with alpha-interferon. An audiologicalWe report a case of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and in a patient with haemophilia B and hepatitis C treated with alpha-interferon. An audiological check-up of that kind of patients is indicated in order to exclude hearing loss.

• [Assessment of rehabilitation of teachers' voice disorders]

  Authors: Anna Sinkiewicz, Arleta Pawlak, Waldemar Wojnowski, Hanna Owczarzak

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2003; 57(3):417-20.

  Results of treatment of teacher's voice disorders were presented. Patients except pharmacological treatment and physiotherapy realised the course of voice emission exercises under speech therapistResults of treatment of teacher's voice disorders were presented. Patients except pharmacological treatment and physiotherapy realised the course of voice emission exercises under speech therapist supervision. Ninety teachers were examined before and after treatment. Laryngological, phoniatric and laryngostroboscopic studies were carried out. In most patients phoniatric assessment revealed elongation of phonation time, changing of breathing route from cleidocostal to phrenocostal and voice creation without neck muscle tension after completing of treatment. 6 weeks lasting period of exercises was determined to be sufficient in most patients to learn correct breathing and phonation but to establish normal voice emission patient strong motivation, discipline and regularity during several months lasting exercises is needed.

• [Internal injuries of larynx in children. Case reports]

  Authors: Michał Grzegorowski, Waldemar Wojnowski, Beata Pucher, Michał Ryglewicz

  Otolaryngologia polska. The Polish otolaryngology. 02/2003; 57(2):287-90.

  The authors present larynx injuries among children especially with regard to iatrogenic internal injuries based on personally observed cases: dislocation of arytenoid cartilage in 11 year-old girlThe authors present larynx injuries among children especially with regard to iatrogenic internal injuries based on personally observed cases: dislocation of arytenoid cartilage in 11 year-old girl and post intubation granuloma in 8 year-old girl.