Genetic Causes Of Dysphonia

The notion that there are genetic causes of speech, hearing, and voice disorders is relatively new, and studies in this field are beguiling to emerge as time passes. The article Exploring genetic and environmental effects in dysphonia: a twin study attempts to "explore the existence of genetic effects as well as the interaction between potential genetic effects and a voice-demanding occupation on dysphonia.” As a scientific study, the article first provides evidence that the research can be based on. Next, the methods section provides important information regarding the participants studied, assessments, treatments, and experimental manipulations conducted on the participants.
The participants in the study include 1,728 Finnish twins, 555 males, and 1,173 females, born between 1961 …show more content…
The participants who worked in voice-demanding occupations were found to be influenced by more of environmental causes for dysphonia, while genetic causes seemed to affect the participants with less voice- demanding occupations more than environmental factors. The article suggests that a presence of genetic effects on the occurrence of dysphonia exists. However, the correlation between the twins was relatively low, indicating that a large portion of the effects on dysphonia is environmental effects that are unique to the twins. The gene-environment interaction was found to be not statistically significant. These findings are important because they suggest that although genetic factors affect voice disorders, individuals with voice demanding occupations should take measures to promote the healthiness of their voice to avoid and/or reduce dysphonia. Even so, genetic variation could result in variation in dysphonia. The discussion section in the paper suggests that genetic history should be taken into account when assessing