[Environmental factors and vocal habits regarding pre-school teachers and functionaries suffering voice disorders]. / Factores ambientales y hábitos vocales en docentes y funcionarios de pre-escolar con alteraciones de voz.

OBJECTIVE: Determining the relationship between vocal habits and environmental/ occupational conditions with the presence of vocal disturbance (dysphonia) in teachers and functionaries working at community-based, initial childhood education centres (kindergartens). METHOD: This was a descriptive study which adopted across-sectional approach using 198 participants which was developed in three phases. Phase 1: consisted of identifying participants having the highest risk of presenting vocal disturbance. Phase 2consisted of observation-analysis concerning the voice use and vocal habits of participants who had been identified in phase 1. Phase 3consisted of perceptual and computational assessment of participants' voices using Wilson's vocal profile and the multidimensional voice program. RESULTS: Individuals having pitch breaks, throat clearing, increased voice intensity, and gastro-oesophageal reflux were found to present below standard fundamental frequency (FF). Subjects having altered breathing and increased voice intensity were identified as having above standard shimmer and jitter acoustic values. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of inability to work was found due to vocal disturbance. It is thus suggested that there is a correlation between vocal habits and vocal disorders presented by preschool teachers in kindergarten settings.

Factores ambientales y hábitos vocales en docentes y funcionarios de pre-escolar con alteraciones de voz / Environmental factors and vocal habits regarding pre-school teachers and functionaries suffering voice disorders

Objetivo Determinar la relación existente entre los hábitos vocales y condiciones ambientales/ ocupacionales, con la presencia de alteraciones vocales (disfonía) en docentes y funcionarios de centros sociales de educación inicial. Método Estudio descriptivo transversal en una población de 198 sujetos, que se llevó a cabo en tres fases. Fase 1: Identificación de los sujetos con mayor riesgo de presentar una alteración vocal. Fase 2: Observación-análisis del uso de la voz y los hábitos vocales de los sujetos identificados en la fase 1. Fase 3: Evaluación perceptual y computarizada de la voz, a través del Perfil Vocal de Wilson y el Multidimensional Voice Program, respectivamente. Resultados Se encontró que sujetos con quiebres tonales, carraspera, intensidad de la voz aumentada y reflujo gastroesofágico presentaron una frecuencia fundamental (Fo) por debajo de la norma. Aquellos con respiración alterada e intensidad de la voz aumentada, mostraron tener los valores acústicos de Shimmer y Jitter por encima de la norma. Conclusiones Existe un alto índice de incapacidad laboral a causa de alteraciones vocales. Se sugiere relación entre los hábitos laborales a los que están expuestas las educadoras iniciales y la existencia de alteraciones vocales.

Objective Determining the relationship between vocal habits and environmental/ occupational conditions with the presence of vocal disturbance (dysphonia) in teachers and functionaries working at community-based, initial childhood education centres (kindergartens). Method This was a descriptive study which adopted across-sectional approach using 198 participants which was developed in three phases. Phase 1: consisted of identifying participants having the highest risk of presenting vocal disturbance. Phase 2consisted of observation-analysis concerning the voice use and vocal habits of participants who had been identified in phase 1. Phase 3consisted of perceptual and computational assessment of participants' voices using Wilson's vocal profile and the multidimensional voice program. Results Individuals having pitch breaks, throat clearing, increased voice intensity, and gastro-oesophageal reflux were found to present below standard fundamental frequency (FF). Subjects having altered breathing and increased voice intensity were identified as having above standard shimmer and jitter acoustic values. Conclusions A high rate of inability to work was found due to vocal disturbance. It is thus suggested that there is a correlation between vocal habits and vocal disorders presented by preschool teachers in kindergarten settings.