Professor MA, Estella P. M.

Primary research interest is clinical voice science and disorders. The majority of research has taken a functional perspective and is framed by the health classification scheme of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The long-term goal is to develop theory-driven voice assessment and treatment protocols to enhance patient's functional voice communication and hence quality of life.

Key research areas include:

• Voice problems in children
• Application of motor learning theory in vocal skills acquisition
• Functional communication in communication disorders
• Instrumental (acoustic and physiological) voice analysis

https://voice.edu.hku.hk

https://greenvoice.edu.hku.hk

2012 - Faculty of Education Outstanding Teaching Award (Team Award), awarded by the University of Hong Kong.

2012 - The 14th Annual David W. Brewer Award for Best Poster, awarded by the America Voice Foundation Symposium.

2007 - Faculty of Education Outstanding Researcher Award for Early Career Research Achievements

External competitive research grants (as Principal Investigator)(From 2008 onwards)

2022. Voice therapy for children with benign vocal fold lesions: A comparison of voice outcomes between telepractice and traditional face-to-face model of service delivery. RGC General Research Fund (2022-25). Principal Investigator. HK$796,003).

2016. The effectiveness of vocal hygiene education with resonant voice training for children with voice disorders: A randomized controlled trial. RGC General Research Fund (2016-19. Principal Investigator. HK$855,300).

2012.   Determining the individual, community and societal response to communication impairment in Australia and China. Awarded by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia: Australia-China Joint-action Exchange Program (2012. Co-Principal Investigator. AU$6,500)

2010.   Development and validation of a voice assessment protocol for Cantonese children. RGC General Research Fund (2010-13. Principal Investigator. HK$923,153).

2008.   Effects of self-controlled feedback paradigm on motor learning of a "relaxed phonation" task. RGC General Research Fund (previously Competitive Earmarked Research Grant) (2008-10. Principal Investigator. HK$326,862).

Internal research grants (as Principal Investigator) (From 2008 onwards)

2021. Three-dimensional reconstruction of paediatric larynx using two-dimensional anatomical planed panoramic ultraound images Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research (HK$119,640).

2020.  Application of virtual reality environments in voice training for primary school teachers. HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Resarch (HK$97,060).

2012.   Bacterial and inflammatory attributes for voice disorders in adult female. HKU Small Project Fund (2012-13, Principal Investigator. HK$36,763)

2011.   An alternative service delivery model for clinical education of speech therapy students. Faculty Teaching Development Fund, The University of Hong Kong (2011-12, Principal Investigator. HK$22,550).

2010.   Voice motor learning in children. HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research. (2010-11, Principal Investigator. HK$61,000)

2009.   Frequency and risk factors for voice problems in children. HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research. (2009-10, Principal Investigator. HK$70,000)

2009.   Voice evaluation system for clinical teaching and research of voice disorders. University Development Fund, The University of Hong Kong (2008-09 Second Round. Principal Investigator. HK$965,000).

2008.   Effects of relative frequency of terminal feedback on motor learning of a "relaxed phonation" task. Research Grant Committee Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research, The University of Hong Kong (2008-09, Principal Investigator. HK$100,000).

Knowledge Exchange / Teaching Development grants (as Principal Investigator) (From 2008 onwards) 

2016.   Green Voice for School: Promoting knowledge of healthy voice use in primary school students. The University of Hong Kong. (Principal Investigator. HK$98,641).

2020.   Voice Care cum STEM (VC-STEM): Integrating STEM eduaction into voice care education for primary school students in Hong Kong. (Principal Investigator. HK$149,516).

2020.   Enhancing the bridging of theory to practice in speech therapy students through the use of simulated patients. University Teaching Development Grant. (Principal Investigator. HK$287,666).

2022.  Building a sustainable model for integrating simulated patient program into the BSc Speech and Hearing Sciences Curriculum. University Teaching Development Grant. (Principal Investigator. HK$298,159).

Journal Publications (From 2008 onwards)

* = corresponding author or co-first author; + PhD. / M.Phil. / B.Sc. mentee

1. Ma, E. P.-M., Chow, A. Y.-T.+, & Lam, V. W.-Y.+ (in press). Management of pediatric voice disorders: Perceived knowledge, confidence, attitude and practice patterns among school-based speech-language pathologists in Hong Kong. Journal of Voice. 
2. Pan, Z., Ma, T., Gao, B., Ma, E. P.-M., Yu, L., Qiu, Z., & Lu, D. (in press). Survey of referral patterns in southwestern Mainland China: How do pediatricians manage children with dysphonia? Journal of Voice.
3. Ma, E. P.-M., Cheung, Y.-C.+, Siu, A. K.-Y., & Lo, J. F.-W. (in press). The effectiveness of vocal hygiene education with resonant voice therapy for school-aged children with vocal nodules. Journal of Voice.
4. Rocha, B. R., Wong, A. W.-K., Ma, E. P.-M., & Behlau, M. (in press). Equivalência cultural da versão brasileira do protocolo Speech-Specific Reinvestment Scale - SSRS. (Cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian version of the Speech-Specific Reinvestiment Scale - SSRS). CoDAS.
5. Ma, E. P.-M., Tse, M. M.-S.+, Mommien, M., Pu, D., & Chen, F. F. (2021). The effectos of dysphonic voices on speech intelligibility in Cantonese-speaking adults. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 64(1), 16-29.
6. Wong, H. Y.-K.+ & Ma, E. P.-M.* (2021). Self-perceived voice problems in a non-treatment seeking older population in Hong Kong. Journal of Voice, 35(4), 597-603.
7. Ma, E. P.-M., & Leung, H. K.-H.+ (2021). One-year follow-up of a vocal hygiene program for school-age children. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica, 73(1), 1-6.
8. Lo, E. S.-C., Wong, A. W.-K., Tse, A. C.-Y., Ma, E. P.-M., Whitehill, T. L., & Masters, R. (2020). Development of a psychometric measure to assess the propensity for conscious speech motor control. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(4), 963-982.
9. Ma, E. P.-M., & Wu, M. C.-K.+ (2019). Age estimation from voice in the Cantonese-speaking elderly population: Influence of listener's age and stimulus types. Speech, Language and Hearing, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/2050571X.2019.1634348
10. Lo, E. S.-C., Wong, A. W.-K., Tse, A. C.-Y., Ma, E. P.-M., Whitehill, T., & Masters, R. (2019). Effects of error experience on simulating hyponasal speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28(2), 448-455.
11. Lu, D., Yiu, E. M.-L., Pu, D., Yang, H., & Ma, E. P.-M. (2019). Parental knowledge, attitudes and practices about vocal hygiene for their children in Chengdu, a city from China. Medicine, 98(16), e15252.
12. Lang, B. H.-H., Wong, C. K.-H., Ma, E. P.-M., Woo, Y. C., & Chiu, K. W.-H. (2019). A propensity-matched analysis of clinical outcomes between open thyroid lobectomy and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of benign thyroid nodules. Surgery, 165, 85-91.
13. Chui, J. C.-H.+, & Ma, E. P.-M.* (2019). The impact of dysphonic voices on children's comprehension of spoken language. Journal of Voice, 33(5), 801.e7-801.e16.
14. Lu, D., Ma, E. P.-M., Ren, J., Pu, D., Hui, Y., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2019). Mandarin (Simplified) Chinese version of the Vocie Activity and Participation Profile: Adaptattion and validation. Journal of Voice, 33(1), 103-109.
15. Ma, E. P.-M. (2018). The use of the ICF in clinical research, practice and education: A Hong Kong perspective. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Group 17 Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Related Disorders, 3(17), 86-92. [invited]
16. Lu, D., Huang, M., Li, Z., Yiu, E. M.-L., Cheng, I. K.-Y., Yang, H., & Ma, E. P.-M. (2018). Adaptation and validation of Chinese version of the pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI). International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 104, 19-24.
17. Lang, B. H.-H., Wong, C. K.-H., Ma, E. P.-M. (2017). Single-session high intensity focused ablation (HIFU) versus open cervical hemithyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodule: analysis on early efficacy, safety and voice quality. International Journal of Hyperthermia, 1-7.
18. Ma, E. P.-M., & Li, T. K.-Y.+ (2016). Effects of coaching and repeated trials on maximum phonational frequency range in children. Journal of Voice, 31(2), 243-e1. 
19. Tse, A. C.-Y.+, Wong, A. W.-K., Whitehill, T.L., Ma, E. P.-M., & Masters, R. (2016). Examining the cognitive demands of analogy instructions compared to explicit instructions. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 1-8.
20. Ma, E. P.-M., & Lam, N. L.-N.+ (2015). Speech task effects on acoustic measure of fundamental frequency in Cantonese-speaking children. International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology, 79(12), 2260-2264.
21. Lang, B. H.-H., Wong, C. K.-H., & Ma, E. P.-M. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis on acoustic voice parameters after uncomplicated thyroidectomy. The Laryngoscope.
22. Yiu, E.M.-L., Chan, K.M.-K., Kwong, E., Li, N, Y-K., Ma, E. P.-M., Tse, F. W., Lin, Z. X., Verdolini-Abbott, K., & Tsang, R. (2015). Is acupuncture efficacious for treating phonotraumatic vocal pathologies? A randomized control trial. Journal of Voice.
23. Yiu, E.M.-L., Chan, K.M.-K., Li, N, Y-K., Tsang, R., Verdolini-Abbott, K., Kwong, E., Ma, E. P.-M., Tse, F. W., & Lin, Z. X. (2015). Wound-healing effect of acupuncture for treating phonotraumatic vocal pathologies: A cytokine study. The Laryngoscope, 126(1), E18-E22.
24. Chan, K. M.-K., Li, C.M., Ma, E. P.-M., Yiu, E. M.-L., & McPherson, B. (2015). Noise levels in urban Asian school environments. Noise and Health, 17(74), 48-55.
25. Chen, F. C.+, Ma, E. P.-M., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2014). Facial bone vibration in resonant voice production following resonant voice training. Journal of Voice, 28, 596-602.
26. Yiu, E. M.-L., Wang, Gaowu, Lo, A. C.-Y., Chan, K. M.-K., Ma, E. P.-M., Kong, JP., & Barrett, E. (2013). Quantitative high-speed laryngoscopic analysis of vocal fold vibration in fatigued voice of young Karaoke singers. Journal of Voice, 27, 753-761.
27. Yiu, E. M.-L., Lau, V. C.-Y., Ma, E. P.-M., & Chan, K. M.-K. (2013). Reliability of Laryngo-stroboscopic evaluation on lesion size and glottal configuration: A revisit. The Laryngoscope, 124(7), 1638-1644.
28. Ma, E. P.-M., & Yu, C. H.-Y.+ (2013). Listeners' attitudes toward children with voice problems. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 56, 1409-1415.
29. Tse, A. C.-Y.+, Wong, A. W.-K., Ma, E. P.-M., Whitehill, T. L., & Masters, R. S. W. (2013). Influence of analogy instruction on perceptual ratings of different speech parameters. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 56, 906-912.
30. Wong, A. W.-K., Whitehill, T. L., Ma, E. P.-M., & Masters, R. (2013). Effects of practice schedules on speech motor learning. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 15, 511-523.
31. Ma, E. P.-M., Baken, R. J., Roark, R. M., & Li, P.-M.+ (2012). Effect of tones on vocal attack time (VAT) in Cantonese speakers. Journal of Voice, 26(5), 670e1-670e6.
32. Wong, A. W.-K., Whitehill, T., Ma, E. P.-M., & Masters, R. (2012). Effects of errorless learning on the acquisition of velopharyngeal movement control [abstract]. Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 131(4-2), 3273.
33. Tse, A. C.-Y.+, Masters, R. S. W., Whitehill, T. L., & Ma, E. P.-M. (2012). The use of analogy in speech motor learning. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 14(1), 84-90.
34. Wong, A. Y.-H.+, Ma, E. P.-M.*, & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2011). Effects of practice variability on learning of relaxed phonation in vocally hyperfunctional speakers. Journal of Voice, 25(3), e103-e113.
35. Yiu, E. M.-L., Ho, E. M., Ma, E. P.-M., Verdolini-Abbott, K., Branski, R., Richardson, K., & Li, N. (2011). Possible cross-cultural differences in the perception of impact of voice disorders. Journal of Voice, 25(3), 348-353.
36. Ma, E. P.-M. & Love, A.+ (2010). Electroglottographic evaluation of age and gender effects during sustained phonation and connected speech. Journal of Voice, 24(2), 146-152.
37. Whitehill, L. T., Ma, E. P.-M., & Tse, F. C.-M.+ (2010). Environmental barriers to communication for individuals with dysarthria. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 18(4), 141-144.
38. Law, I. K.-Y., Ma, E. P.-M., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2009). Speech intelligibility, acceptability and communication-related quality of life among alaryngeal speakers. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 135(7), 704-711
39. Ma, E. P.-M., Threats, T. T., & Worrall, L. E. (2008). An introduction to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) for speech-language pathology: Its past, present and future. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10(1-2), 2-8.

Scholarly books and edited volumes (From 2008 onwards)

1. Ma, E. P.-M. & Yiu, E. M.-L. (Eds.) (2011). Handbook of Voice Assessments. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc. (ISBN: 978-1-59756-364-2; 362 pages)
2. Worrall, L. E., Ma, E. P.-M. & Threats, T. T. (Guest editors) (2008). Contribution of the ICF to speech-language pathology. Special issue of International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 10(1-2).

Book chapters (From 2008 onwards)

1. Ma, E. P.-M., & *Lee T. K.-Y. (2013). Section A - Current Issues in Voice Assessment and Intervention: A World Perspective – Hong Kong. In E. Yiu (Ed.), International Perspectives on Voice Disorders. Multilingual Matter. [Invited]
2. Ma, E. P.-M., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2013). Contemporary voice research: A World Perspective – Motor Learning and voice disorders. In E. M.-L. Yiu (Ed.), International Perspectives on Voice Disorders. Multilingual Matter.
3. Ma, E. (2013). Functional assessment of voice disorders: A theoretical framework. In E. Yiu (Ed.), Manual of Clinical Voice Assessment and Therapy: A Hong Kong Perspective. (2nd Ed.) Hong Kong: Centre for Communication Disorders, The University of Hong Kong.
4. Ma, E., & Yiu, E. (2013). Voice Activity and Participation Profile. In E. Yiu (Ed.), Manual of Clinical Voice Assessment and Therapy: A Hong Kong Perspective. (2nd Ed.) Hong Kong: Centre for Communication Disorders, The University of Hong Kong.
5. Yiu, E., & Ma, E. (2013). Voice therapy instructional manual. In E. Yiu (Ed.), In E. Yiu (Ed.), Manual of Clinical Voice Assessment and Therapy: A Hong Kong Perspective. (2nd Ed.) Hong Kong: Centre for Communication Disorders, The University of Hong Kong.
6. Ma, E. (2013). Chewing technique: Speak with an "Open Mouth". In A. Behrman. & J. Haskell (Eds.). Exercises for voice therapy (2nd Ed.). San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc. [Invited]
7. Ma, E. P.-M., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2012). Voice research in Hong Kong: Its past, present and future. In Goldfarb, R. (Ed.). Translational SLP/A: Essays in honor of Dr. Sadanand Singh. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc. [Invited]
8. Ma, E. P.-M., & Yiu, E. M.-L. (2011). Introduction. In E. P.-M. Ma & E. M.-L. Yiu (Eds.). Handbook of Voice Assessments. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc.
9. Ma, E. P.-M. (2011). Voice Range Profile: Phog. In E. P.-M. Ma & E. M.-L. Yiu (Eds.). Handbook of Voice Assessments. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc.
10. Ma, E. P.-M. (2011). Monitoring oral air and air pressure during speech production: Aerophone. In E. P.-M. Ma & E. M.-L. Yiu (Eds.). Handbook of Voice Assessments. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc.
11. *Wong, A. Y.-H., & Ma, E. P.-M. (2011). Assessing vocal hyperfunction using surface electromyography. In E. P.-M. Ma & E. M.-L. Yiu (Eds.). Handbook of Voice Assessments. San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc.
12. Ma, E. (2008). Chewing technique: Speak with an "Open Mouth". In A. Behrman. & J. Haskell (Eds.). Exercises for voice therapy (pp. 85-86). San Diego, California: Plural Publishing Inc. [Invited]

Editorships & reviewers for scientific journals and conference proceedings

Associate Editor (Voice), Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. Jan 2016 to Dec 2018.

Associate Editor (Voice), Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica. Oct 2013 to Sep 2016.

Editorial Board member, Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology. Dec 2012 to present.

Editorial Board member (Pediatric issue), e-Phonoscope. 2010 to present.

Chief Editor (guest) of a special issue, Seminars in Speech and Hearing. 2007.

Co-Editor (guest) of a special issue, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2008.

Editorial Consultant (overseas), Journal of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Taiwan. 2009 to 2011.

Ad hoc reviewer, Hong Kong RGC General Research Fund. 2011.

Ad hoc reviewer in journals:

Speech Pathology Australia Conference Proceedings. 2001 to 2004;

Advances in Speech-Language Pathology. 2006 to 2009;

Journal of Psychosometric Research. 2008, 2010, 2011;

Asia Pacific Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing. 2000 to present;

Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research (Speech). 2003 to present;

Acquiring Knowledge in Speech, Language and Hearing. 2005 to present;

Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics. 2007 to present;

International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology). 2010 to present;

Language, Hearing Services in Schools. 2011 to present; Disabilities and Rehabilitation. 2012 to present;

Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology. 2012 to present;

Reviewer (Voice), Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica. 2003 to present.

Reviewer, Conference proceeding of The 26th International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. 2003.

Reviewer, Conference proceeding of The 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Speech, Language and Hearing. 2007.

Committees for professional bodies

Executive committee, The Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists. Sept 1999-2001.

Executive committee, Sir Edward Youde Scholars Association (SEYSA). Sept 2000-2003.

Steering member (Hong Kong representative), Asia Pacific Society for Speech, Language & Hearing. 2001 to 2011.

Council member of interim council, The Hong Kong Voice Foundation. 2006 to present.

Committee member, IALP Voice Committee. (Hong Kong representative). 2008 to present.

Committees for conferences and synergistic events

Program Committee, The 26th International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. 2003.

Organizing committee (Hong Kong representative), World Voice Day. 2006, 2007, 2013 & 2014.

Organizing committee, Hospital Authority Symposium. 2009.

Coordinator, The Inaugural Hong Kong Speech and Hearing Symposium. 2010.

Organizing Committee, Summerfest 2011 on "Challenges to Healthy Communication" cum Annual Presentation of B.Sc. (Speech & Hearing Sciences) fourth year dissertations.

Organizing Committee, Summerfest 2012 on "Making Communication Science Works" cum Annual Presentation of B.Sc. (Speech & Hearing Sciences) fourth year dissertations.

Organizing Committee (Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics HKIOA representative for technical program on "Speech Communications"), The Acoustics 2012 Hong Kong. 2011 to 12. [The Acoustics 2012 is jointly organized by the HKIOA, Hong Kong the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the Acoustical Society of China (ASC) and the Western Pacific Acoustics Conference (WESPAC)] [Invited]