Cervical Auscultation, acoustic parameters and measuring the normal adult swallow: A literature review

Abstract

Researchers are investigating the use of Cervical Auscultation (CA) with signal processing technology to electronically record acoustic signals, which characterize a normal adult swallow. The purpose is to find a non-invasive, accessible, inexpensive and time saving method to evaluate patients at-risk for dysphagia. Identifying a consistent and reliable acoustic signal in a normal adult swallow is paramount to establishing a standardized acoustic measurement to compare against a dysphagic swallow's acoustic signature. Currently, the lack of agreement between researchers' methodology and terminology to measure and define a normal adult swallow prohibits establishing a normative data set to use for differential diagnosis purposes. After reviewing the literature, research suggests the cricopharyngeus muscle produces the most consistent and strongest acoustic signal compared to other sound components in the pharyngeal segment. Further studies on the acoustic signal associated with the cricopharngeus muscle need to be conducted in the future to confirm preliminary results.