Vocal effort: Vocal effort can be defined as a perceived exertion of a pro voice user to a perceived vocal demand. Vocal Fatigue: Vocal fatigue can be defined as the quantifiable decline in vocal function that influences a vocal task or performance. So why is this information important? When the voice becomes tense (which is very often in MOST voices) vocal effort increases which can lead to vocal fatigue very quickly. We know that the larger overall design of VOCAL TUBES® compared to other straw or tube sizes gives the user more of this massage like sensation which is INCREDIBLE for YOU. WHY?...Ok so... The Bubbling effect during VOCAL TUBES® WRVT creates "Pulsatil" or a PULSATING oral pressure, which basically creates a movement of laryngeal, pharyngeal and oral tissues contributing value to the massage-like sensation of WRVT, which in turn promotes a reduction in the sensations of muscle tension and vocal fatigue. (The graph opposite shows the results from a study that reflects the efficacy of a large tube in water in relation to the massage sensations we can feel from devices like VOCAL TUBES®). We designed VOCAL TUBES® based on such incredible scientific discoveries! That is great news for YOUR voice! 

Evidence related to the oscillation of oral pressure (Guzman et al, 2015) during WRVT is a real discovery. Results have shown that not only does WRVT produce a helpful oral pressure BUT, that oral pressure actually oscillates as well.  They showed results of oral pressure oscillation frequency during WRVT which contributes to the incredible massage-like sensations. It's the same sensations we all feel with VOCAL TUBES® work.

Q: Is the oscillation of oral pressure during bubbling really capable of moving tissues within the vocal tract? The answer to this is YES. 

Let's look at evidence related to movement of facial, laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues doing WRVT. The main areas that are reported to oscillate during WRVT are: 

Accelerometry was used to measure the possible oscillations of the oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal tissues during bubbling, it's reported that there is oscillation of the oral, laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues which is great news for YOUR vocal health because you get the benefit of your voice being soothed, relaxed and de-stressed after the vocal exigencies of the day. The most significant discovery from the diagrams report was the oral pressure oscillation which is attributed to the massage-like sensation of WRVT. The massage-like effect of WRVT is a great source of sensory stimulation necessary to: (1) change the voice production pattern or what we call the "vocal demand response" (the automatic behaviour of the vocal tract and how it responds to sensory input) and

(2) reduce the sensation of muscle tension, the sensations of vocal fatigue and throat discomfort in general. The two main differences between tube in air and tube in water are: 1st difference- is the higher airflow resistance in WRVT and 2nd- is the water bubbling (massage-like sensation). 

Intraoral pressure is the helpful pressure that sits in between the glottis (The Glottis: is the midline gap of the vocal folds) and around it as well. Intraoral pressure is GREAT because it gives the vocal folds a cushioned impact when they come together within the vibration cycle, as opposed to the action of the vocal folds coming forcibly into contact during the vibration cycle. The Vocal folds vibrate together multiple times per second, for example: singing a note on the A4 on the piano scale works out at 440Hz which basically means 440 opening and closing impacts (vibrations) per second....I SAID PER SECOND! 😮 As you sing higher this rate of vibration increases..WOW.. that is A LOT of impact! Thank GOD for intraoral pressure! 😁