A voice accumulator is a portable device for long term measurements of voice use in natural conditions. A contact microphone attached to the front part of the neck registers vocal fold vibrations. Measurements can be taken of fundamental frequency (FO), phonation time or speaking time and sound pressure level (SPL) over several days.
In clinical assessments, objective documentation of the patient's voice use is important, in addition to laryngoscopy and the patient's self evaluation of his or her vocal behaviour. With the use of a voice accumulator, important information about a patient's voice use over longer periods of time in natural conditions eg at work, can be added to the knowledge about a patients' working conditions.
Therefore, a voice accumulator should have great clinical relevance for patients with suspected 'occupational' voice disorders.
Many studies have been undertaken on the clinical value of voice accumulators - readers who are interested could look at one undertaken by Annika Szabo, Britta Hammarberg, AlfHakansson and Maria Sodersten of the Karolinska Institute, Huddigne University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (2001).