Current Projects
Speech Acoustics and Vocal Fatigue in Healthcare Workers
​With the advent of COVID-19, many healthcare providers are required to wear masks throughout the work day. Although we know that masks can impact the ability for a listener to understand what is being said, there is little information on how the speaker overcomes communication barriers. Our project seeks to investigate speech acoustics and vocal fatigue in healthcare providers in order to provide target strategies to improve communication and maintain vocal health. This project is funded by The Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the NIH.
E-Cigarette Project
Voice Function in Individuals who use Electronic Cigarettes
​Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular among college-aged adults. Frequently referred to as "vaping" or "Juuling", electronic cigarette use is often believed to be a safe alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes. However, the use of electronic cigarettes is a growing health concern with reports of pulmonary complications, and in some cases, even death. Here, we are investigating how daily electronic cigarette use impacts voice and respiratory function. We suspect that individuals who use electronic cigarettes will exhibit voice problems at a higher rate than those who do not use tobacco products.
​
​
​
Vocal Fatigue Project
Evaluating real-life challenges people face everyday
Vocal Fatigue and Recovery
​Vocal fatigue is a common problem that almost everyone has experienced. Likely, the sensation of fatigue develops when someone is trying to compensate for an inefficient voice or for new vocal demands (i.e., like talking in a loud environment, or having to lecture in front of a class). In this study, we are interested in understanding how the respiratory and laryngeal systems interact with one another during acute fatigue and recovery from fatigue. Our multisystem analysis includes aging adults with and without pulmonary disease.
Publications
Sharing research with the scientific, clinical, and public communities
Groll, M.D., McKenna, V.S., Hablani, S., & Stepp, C.E. (2020). Formant-estimated vocal tract length and extrinsic laryngeal muscle activation during modulation of vocal effort in healthy speakers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63, 1395-1403.
McKenna, V.S., Hylkema, J.A., Tardif, M.C., & Stepp, C.E. (2020). Voice onset time in individuals with hyperfunctional voice disorders: Evidence for disordered vocal motor control. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63, 405-420.
McKenna, V.S., & Huber, J.E. (2019). The accuracy of respiratory calibration methods for estimating lung volume during speech breathing: A comparison of four methods across three adult cohorts. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62, 2632-2644.
Diaz Cadiz, M., McKenna, V.S., Vojtech, J.M., Stepp, C.E. (2019). Adductory vocal fold kinematic trajectories during conventional versus high-speed videoendoscopy. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62, 1685-1706.
Cler G.J., McKenna V.S., Dahl, K.L., & Stepp C.E. (2019). Longitudinal case study of transgender voice changes under testosterone hormone therapy. Journal of Voice. Pre-print. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2019.03.006.
McKenna, V.S., Diaz-Cadiz, M.E., Shembel, A.C., Enos, N.M., & Stepp, C.E. (2019). The relationship between physiological mechanisms and the self-perception of vocal effort. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62(4), 815-834.
McKenna, V.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2018). The relationship between acoustical and perceptual measures of vocal effort. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 144(3), 1643-1658.
McKenna, V.S., Llico, A.F., Mehta, D.D., Perkell, J.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2017). Magnitude of neck-surface vibration as an estimate of subglottal pressure during modulations of vocal effort and intensity in healthy speakers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 60(12), 3404-3416.
McKenna, V.S., Zhang, B., Haines, M., & Kelchner, L. (2017). A systematic review of isometric lingual strength training programs in adult populations with and without dysphagia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26, 524-539.
Fujiki, R., Chapleau, A., Sundarrajan, A., McKenna, V., and Sivasankar, P. (2017). The interaction of surface hydration and vocal loading on voice measures. Journal of Voice, 31(2), 211-217.
​
McKenna, V.S., Heller Murray, E.S., Lien, Y.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2016). The relationship between relative fundamental frequency and a kinematic estimate of laryngeal stiffness in healthy adults. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 59(6), 1283-1294.