Future teachers and the self-perception of vocal symptoms and knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. / Futuros professores e a autopercepção de sintomas vocais e conhecimento em saúde e higiene vocal.

PURPOSE: To analyze responses of future teachers regarding the self-perception of vocal symptoms and knowledge about vocal health and vocal hygiene, relating them to sociodemographic and occupational variables and previous knowledge about voice. METHODS: Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. A total of 264 undergraduate students participated and the Vocal Health and Hygiene Questionnaire (QSHV), Vocal Symptoms Scale (ESV) and a questionnaire with sociodemographic, occupational and vocal questions were applied. Data were statistically analyzed considering a 5% significance level. RESULTS: QSHV of future teachers had a total mean score of 21.89, suggestive of lack of knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. The results of the ESV are above the instrument's cutoff score, in each of the three domains and in the total score, there was greater symptomatology in first-year students when compared to other students, in the emotional, limitation and total domains. There was a difference when comparing the QSHV with the year of graduation (p=0.001), in which third and fourth year students obtained higher scores. A positive correlation was observed between the total QSHV score and the age variable (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Future teachers present important vocal symptomatology, compatible with dysphonic individuals, and have insufficient knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. Knowledge is even lower among students in the early undergraduate years and at a younger age. Older future teachers demonstrate more knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. It is necessary to propose preventive actions with this population, even during the graduation period, aiming to reduce the risks of developing vocal problems in the medium or long term during teaching.

OBJETIVO: Analisar respostas de futuros professores quanto à autopercepção de sintomas vocais e conhecimento sobre saúde vocal e higiene vocal, relacionando-os às variáveis sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e conhecimento prévio sobre voz. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional, analítico e transversal. Participaram 264 alunos de licenciatura, foram aplicados Questionário de Saúde e Higiene Vocal (QSHV), Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV) e questionário com perguntas sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e vocais. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente considerando nível de significância 5%. RESULTADOS: QSHV de futuros professores apresentou escore médio total de 21,89, sugestivo de conhecimento insuficiente sobre saúde e higiene vocal. Resultados da ESV estão acima da nota de corte do instrumento, nos três domínios e no escore total, observou-se maior sintomatologia em estudantes do primeiro ano quando comparados aos demais estudantes, nos domínios emocional, limitação e total. Houve diferença na comparação do QSHV com o ano da graduação (p=0,001), em que alunos dos terceiros e quartos anos obtiveram pontuações maiores. Observou-se correlação positiva entre escore total do QSHV e variável idade (p=0,019). CONCLUSÃO: Futuros professores apresentam sintomatologia vocal importante, compatível aos indivíduos disfônicos, e possuem conhecimento insuficiente sobre saúde e higiene vocal. O conhecimento é ainda menor em alunos dos anos de graduação iniciais e com menor idade. Futuros professores com mais idade demonstram ter mais conhecimento sobre saúde e higiene vocal. Faz-se necessária a proposição de ações preventivas à essa população, ainda no período da graduação, visando à diminuição dos riscos ao desenvolvimento de problemas vocais em médio ou longo prazo durante a docência.

Effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels (WVHLS) Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This research was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty-nine professors participated in this study within two groups: (1) intervention group (n=17) or (2) non-intervention group (n=12). Participants in the intervention group took part in four virtual sessions about how to improve vocal health and strategies to reduce stress levels during their homeworking and online classes. Teachers filled in a questionnaire including questions about working conditions, work-related stress, and the voice functioning (including the Vocal Fatigue Index-VFI). They also recorded a voice sample of a sustained vowel on two separate occasions (before and after the follow-up). RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, there was a tendency to reduce Factor 1 of VFI in the intervention group. Although, all participants had a longer MPT at the end of the study compared with the baseline measures, males in the intervention group had longer MPT compared with other participants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a positive effect of a WVHLS promotion program on reducing vocal fatigue perception measured by means of the Vocal Fatigue Index and improving coordination and control of breathing speech measured MPT. These changes at the end of the follow-up may indicate that holistic programs that include voice care recommendations, breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, cold-down and laryngeal relaxation vocal exercises, and stress management may be beneficial for reducing work-related stress and voice symptoms among professors.

A Vocal Hygiene Program for Mitigating the Effects of Occupational Vocal Demand in Primary School Teachers.

PURPOSE: Teachers are occupational voice users with significant vocal demand. This study examined if a vocal hygiene program could mitigate the effects of occupational vocal demand in primary school teachers across 1 month. METHOD: Sixty female teachers participated, with 30 in an experimental group receiving vocal hygiene education plus daily home practice for 1 month and 30 in a control group with no intervention. Their vocal changes across the month were quantified with (a) acoustic measures on fundamental frequency (fo), vocal intensity, jitter and shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence and (b) Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) and Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) scores. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance showed significantly larger changes (significant decreases) in conversational fo and in jitter for the experimental group relative to the control group. Post hoc pairwise comparisons following repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant decreases in conversational fo and in jitter across the month for the experimental group. No significant differences in VHI-10 and VFI scores were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Vocal demand-related changes in acoustic measures could be partially mitigated with the vocal hygiene program. Future studies with a more refined intervention program and more long-term follow-up are recommended to better understand the long-term benefits of vocal hygiene programs on primary school teachers.

Effects of Occupation-Specific Vocal Stress on the Mental Health of Day Care Teachers.

INTRODUCTION: Kindergarten teachers are exposed to numerous kinds of strains, such as noise, which can negatively affect their voices. This cross-sectional study investigates whether and to what extent the profession-specific high vocal demand is associated with the educators' mental health. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two kindergarten teachers from Magdeburg, Germany and its surrounding areas aged 43.4 ± 12.8 years, voluntarily participated in a survey. Vocal demand and vocal demand response, general strain factors, and mental health were assessed by using questionnaires (self-check on voice demands, Rudow checklist, General Health Questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory). The statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS. RESULTS: The interviewed educators felt stressed by the excessive number of work tasks and children in each class, noisy work environment, and loud conversations. In addition, educators complained of headaches and neck pain (66%), while 28% of them experienced hoarseness and a burning throat. The mental health of 39 of the educators was impaired, and nine were at an increased risk of burnout. Self-reported voice effort correlated low with mental health (r = 0.287; p < 0.001) and burnout risk (r = 0.306; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The vocal demands on educators in day care settings are very high, which is a major associated factor for the development of burnout syndrome and is also associated with headaches and neck pain. Measures for the prevention of occupational voice disorders and voice training should be a mandatory part of the educators' training and must be offered as in-service training.

Effect of a Workplace Vocal Health Promotion Program and Working Conditions on Voice Functioning of College Professors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a Workplace Vocal Health Promotion Program (WVHPP) and working conditions on voice functioning of college professors. STUDY DESIGN: This is a pre-post intervention study. METHODS: College professors were randomly assigned in a control group or an intervention group. Participants filled out a questionnaire and recorded a voice sample at baseline and at the end of the follow-up. This program contains four sessions (2 face-to-face and 2 virtual sessions; one per week) focused on voice hygiene, vocal training, and strategies to modify teaching-learning process. RESULTS: The Intervention group (n = 15) showed increased scores in V-RQOL in comparison with the control group (n = 14), but the effect was not statistically significant. After the program, shimmer decreased (P = 0.05), whereas MPT and HNR increased (P = 0.02 and 0.04 respectively) among professors in the intervention group after the implementation of the WVHPP. Concerning working conditions, number of students per class was statistically associated with SPL. MPT was statistically associated with age and good acoustics inside the classroom. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that implementation of a WVHPP, as well as working conditions, influence voice functioning measured by means of instrumental voice measures and voice-related quality of life. Therefore, workplace promotion programs may be good approaches to decrease the high prevalence of voice disorders among professors.

Effectiveness of a Blended-Learning Intervention in Teachers' Vocal Health.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of a blended-learning voice assistance program for elementary school teachers. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized and comparative interventional clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 59 teachers participated; 33 of the 59 teachers participated in face-to-face learning (control group-CG), and 26 of the 59 teachers participated in blended learning (experimental group-EG). The Voice Assistance Program included the following for both groups: preintervention assessment, four voice workshops and postintervention assessment. The instruments used were the Vocal Production Condition - Teacher (VPC-T) questionnaire, the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD), the Vocal Health and Hygiene Questionnaire (VHHQ) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) measure. Additionally, voice samples were collected for auditory-perceptual analysis of voice quality. The workshops included theoretical and practical content for both groups. All the workshops for the CG were conducted face-to-face, while the workshops for the EG consisted of two online workshops and two face-to-face workshops. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, and paired Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were performed using R software, with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Both groups showed improved acquisition of knowledge regarding vocal health and improved voice quality, but the improvement was greater for the EG. There was a significant decrease in the risk of voice disorder in the EG. Only the CG showed significant improvement in voice-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: The voice assistance program with blended learning is effective for increasing knowledge about vocal health, reducing the risk of voice disorder and improving the voice quality of teachers.

The Effects of the Use of Protective Face Mask on the Voice and Its Relation to Self-Perceived Voice Changes.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects that the use of protective face mask has over the voice and to search for associations between the self-reported voice changes and the levels of discomfort experienced by the participants. Also, to detect any change it the phonatory patterns while speaking with face mask. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study, conducted by distributing an online questionnaire. From a total of 155 people who participated in the study, 143 of them wore protective face mask during their working hours and qualified. Five groups of questions were used to measure the Speech Difficulties, the Mask Related Behaviors caused by the use of face mask, alterations in the Voice Perceptual Features, the Vocal Tract Discomfort levels and the Greek version of the Voice Handicap Index. The participants self-evaluated their voice and stated the frequency and severity of the symptoms they experienced during the mask usage period. RESULTS: The results showed that the use of protective face mask increases the self-perception of changes in the voice, especially in the voice-breathing coordination and has great effect on the intelligibility and overall communication. The majority of people stated that they have to speak louder and that they have noticed alterations in the perceptual features of their voice, with hoarseness, and volume being the most frequently affected. Almost every symptom on the Vocal Tract Discomfort Group was present with Dry, Lump in Throat, Tight, and Short Breath being the most severe, and Dry and Short breath being the most common among them. Physical, Functional, and Emotional affectations were also observed through the Voice Handicap Index. CONCLUSION: The use of protective face mask increases the vocal effort of the speaker, affects the voice-breathing coordination, limits the overall communication, alters the perceptual features of the voice, increases vocal track discomfort levels and results in psychosocial and socioemotional difficulties. All these affectations may result to the establishment of a voice disorder, especially in high-risk population.

A User-Centered Design Approach to Developing a Voice Monitoring System for Disorder Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals will experience a voice disorder in their lifetime, especially occupational voice users. While a number of voice monitoring systems have been developed, most were designed with the clinician/researcher as the end user. For a patient to use these systems, they need field experts to help them interpret data from the system to understand its meaning. Most of these systems would have challenges in being used in a preventative context with the occupational voice user as the sole system user. OBJECTIVE: The current study introduces a novel design approach: user-centered design (UCD) with paper prototypes in the creation of a voice monitoring system for voice disorder prevention (VDP). The goal of this design approach is to design systems that are engaging and intuitive for users so they will be interested in interacting with the system and be able to benefit from the system without the need of external support. METHODS: The current study was conducted in two phases: an iterative design phase and a test phase. In the iterative design phase, 15 participants gave their opinions on the measures and feedback designs they felt would be the most beneficial to users. In the test phase, the researchers collected real voice data over multiple sessions for 18 additional participants and provided this data using the final feedback displays from the design phase. RESULTS: By engaging in UCD, the researchers identified key design challenges for VDP: (1) educating the user, (2) balancing contextualization and granularity, and (3) addressing disconnection between user and system goals. CONCLUSION: UCD holds promise for designing VDP systems that are both engaging and intuitive for occupational voice users.

Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on Voice Handicap Index in Female Classical Singers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the impact of vocal deviation in the quality of life of classical female singers over the quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic through self-assessments. METHODS: Fifty five professional classical female singers filled out an online questionnaire including general questions such as identification, age, professional experience time, vocal classification, time of singing, and rehearsal studies. They all answered the protocol Classical Singing Handicap Index, adapted for this research, which analyses three subscales: Disability, Handicap, and Impairment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the perceived total handicap index score (40% of 120 points). Regarding the three domains analyzed, Disability was significantly higher than Impairment (P = 0.012). In addition, the correlation with the variables identified that Impairment subscale showed a negative correlation with the variable hours of rehearsal (r = -0.335, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 quarantine does not seem to cause a significant impact on the voice of professional classical female singers probably due to their degree of experience and vocal preparation.

The Effects of Collegiate Sports Coaching on the Male Voice: Pilot Data.

PURPOSE: This research gathered pilot data on the effects of a typical collegiate athletic season on the male coach's voice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten male coaches and ten age- and sex-matched controls participated. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to assess group differences in: 1) written self-reports obtained during one session, 2) acoustic and aerodynamic variables obtained during regular season and during off-season for the coaches and only once for the controls, and 3) auditory-perceptual data provided by three speech-language pathologists using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice during one listening session. Data pertaining to the coaches' regular season, to the coaches' off-season, and to the control participants were designated as in-season, off-season, and control, respectively. RESULTS: Significant self-reported findings included more phonotraumatic behaviors in the coaches than in the controls and higher in-season than off-season and control vocal demand. The coaches' history of voice problems was unrelated and the controls' was related to respiratory illness and addressing a large audience. A significant acoustic finding was lower off-season than control low fundamental frequency. Finally, trained listeners perceived control loudness as more aberrant than off-season loudness and they noted vocal fry twice as many times in in-season and off-season than in control voices. CONCLUSIONS: This study exposed traces of adverse voice reactions to coaching and confirmed that coaches harbor a job-based proclivity to voice overuse. Self-reported measures appeared to be the least and aerodynamic the most immune to phonatory exertion that pervades daily coaching tasks. Future studies are warranted to further delineate how athletic coaching interferes with voice production.

The Effect of Vocal Hygiene Education Programs on Voice Quality in Professional Voice Users: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to critically appraise recent peer-reviewed scientific evidence on the effect of vocal hygiene education on voice quality and function directly and indirectly measured by auditory-perceptual, acoustic, and self-report measures in professional voice users. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Five databases were searched using the keywords "vocal hygiene," "vocal hygiene education," "vocal health," "vocal quality," and "voice quality" with Boolean phrases "AND" and "OR." Twenty-three studies that met the eligibility criteria were included. Scoring was based on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's levels of evidence and quality indicators, as well as the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the risk of bias. RESULTS: Four studies (17%) linked low awareness of vocal hygiene or insufficient vocal hygiene education to self-reported acute and chronic voice symptoms, as well as a greater perception of voice handicap among professional voice users. Numerous studies (n = 10; 43%) showed that adequate voice training or vocal hygiene education was linked to positive voice outcomes. Six studies (6.26%), however, demonstrated that vocal hygiene education is more effective when combined with direct voice therapy. When vocal hygiene education is presented in isolation, the superiority of a direct voice therapy approach, with or without vocal hygiene education, is seen over a vocal hygiene education program alone (indirect treatment). CONCLUSIONS: Recent literature demonstrates mixed results obtained through auditory-perceptual, acoustic, and self-rating measures on the effects of vocal hygiene instruction on vocal quality and function in professional voice users. However, the compelling positive outcomes presented do warrant implementation of vocal hygiene education programs in combination with direct voice therapy for professional voice users.

Fonoaudiologia no Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica: um estudo de caso sobre a caracterização da atuação na saúde vocal dos professores / The Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in the Expanded Family Health Center and Basic Care: a case study on the characterization of the performance in teacher's vocal health / La terapia del habla en el núcleo ampliado de la salud familiar y atención básica: un estudio de caso sobre la caracterización del desempeño en la salud vocal del profesor

Objetivo: caracterizar a atuação de profissionais fonoaudiólogos na saúde vocal de professores, no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde, em um município do Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo de caso, com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram da pesquisa cinco profissionais fonoaudiólogas inseridas no Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram interpretados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: caracteriza-se a atuação fonoaudiológica na Atenção Primária em Saúde e saúde vocal de professores. São identificadas atividades realizadas pelos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família que favorecem o reconhecimento da Atenção Primário em Saúde como local virtuoso para ações de promoção da saúde e prevenção de agravos por meio de ações de Vigilância em Saúde do Trabalhador (a). O Programa Saúde na Escola é reconhecido como potente dispositivo para a realização de ações intersetoriais para a implementação do Protocolo de Distúrbios da Voz Relacionado ao Trabalho. Conclusão: as atividades realizadas pela fonoaudiologia se caracterizam por ações de promoção da saúde, realizado em equipe multiprofissional que assume o cuidado sobre um território. Existem limitações e desafios para o melhor desenvolvimento das ações que foram intensificadas pela pandemia de COVID-19. Importa que sejam realizados outros estudos que aprofundem a problemática. A fonoaudiologia é uma categoria profissional que contribui para a saúde das pessoas nos seus locais de vida e trabalho, tornando-se fundamental sua inserção na Atenção Básica do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Purpose: characterize the performance of speech therapists in the vocal health of teachers, in the context of Primary Health Care, in a city in the Northeast of Brazil. Methods: This is a case study with a qualitative approach. Five professional speech therapists, inserted in the Extended Center of Family Health and Primary Health Care, participated in the research. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews. The data were interpreted by means of the content analysis technique. Results: Speech therapy performance in Primary Health Care and teachers' vocal health is characterized. Activities carried out by the Centers for Support to Family Health are identified, which favor the recognition of Primary Health Care as a virtuous place for actions to promote health and prevent diseases through actions of surveillance in Worker's Health. The School Health Program is recognized as a potent device for the realization of intersectorial actions for the implementation of the Work-Related Voice Disorders Protocol. Conclusion: the activities carried out by speech therapy are characterized by health promotion actions, carried out in a team of different health professions that assume the care over a territory. There are limitations and challenges for the best development of the actions that were intensified by the pandemic of COVID-19. It is important that further studies be carried out to deepen the problematic. Speech therapy is a professional category that contributes to people's health in their places of life and work, making its insertion in the Primary Care of the Unified Health System fundamental.

Objetivo: caracterizar la actuación de los profesionales fonoaudiólogos en la salud vocal de los profesores, en el ámbito de la Atención Primaria a la Salud, en un municipio del Nordeste de Brasil. Métodos: se trata de un estudio de caso, con abordaje cualitativo. Participaron en la investigación cinco profesionales fonoaudiólogos inscritos en el Núcleo Ampliado de Salud de la Familia y Atención Básica. Los datos se recogieron mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos se interpretaron mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: se caracteriza la actuación fonoaudiológica en la Atención Primaria en Salud y la salud vocal de los profesores. Se han identificado actividades realizadas por los Núcleos de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia que favorecen el reconocimiento de la Atención Primaria en Salud como un local virtuoso para las acciones de promoción de la salud y la prevención de los daños mediante las acciones de Vigilancia en Salud del Trabajador (a). El Programa de Salud Escolar es reconocido como un poderoso dispositivo para la realización de acciones intersectoriales para la implementación del Protocolo de Trastornos Vocales Relacionados con el Trabajo. Conclusión: las actividades realizadas por la fonoaudiología se caracterizan por ser actividades de promoción de la salud, realizadas en equipos multiprofesionales que asumen el cuidado de un territorio. Existen limitaciones y retos para el mejor desarrollo de las acciones que se intensificaron con la pandemia de COVID-19. Es importante que se realicen más estudios para profundizar en la problemática. La logopedia es una categoría profesional que contribuye a la salud de las personas en sus lugares de vida y trabajo, por lo que su inserción en la Atención Primaria del Sistema Único de Salud es fundamental.

Considerations and demands in the voice care of contemporary commercial singers in occupational health and safety aspects.

Singers, classified as "vocal performers" are at an increased risk of developing voice disorders. The area of contemporary commercial singing has not been studied as extensively as classical singing. Non-classical singing is generally considered detrimental to vocal health and thus the information on challenges contemporary commercial singers (CCS) pose to otolaryngologists and other healthcare professionals is scarce. The authors present an overview of contemporary commercial singing styles in comparison to classical singing, discuss the notion of non-classical style being harmful to vocal health, present major risk factors associated with developing voice disorders in contemporary commercial singers, and outline the diagnostic process of vocal health assessment in this group of occupational voice users. Given that contemporary commercial singers constitute a unique and vast group of elite vocal performers, the authors stress the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals of the fact that these patients require special considerations for voice evaluation and treatment in the occupational health and safety framework. Med Pr. 2022;73(1):33-41.

A Comparative Study Utilizing the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) in Teachers and the General Population of Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of voice handicap perception of teachers in Kuwait and compare them within the general population by using the validated Arabic version of the voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10). Moreover, we explored variations within the teaching profession itself with regards to specific characteristics. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey design, in which participants from all governates of Kuwait (1820 teachers and 755 controls) completed the validated Arabic VHI-10, health-related, and demographic questions. The questionnaires were distributed among a random sample of elementary, middle, and high school teachers of both genders, and a random sample of the control population. RESULTS: The mean VHI-10 of teachers was significantly higher than nonteachers (mean VHI-10 of teachers = 5.7, mean VHI-10 of nonteachers = 3.7, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between teachers and controls in those who scored >11 in the VHI-10 (>11 = 17.6%, 10.2% respectively, P = <0.001). Female teachers scored a higher mean VHI-10 than male teachers (B = 0.66, P < 0.001). There was no difference in the mean VHI-10 among the different teaching class levels. However, elementary school teachers were the most group to exceed the cut-off point (VHI-10 >11) (Odds Ratio = 1.38, P = 0.04). With regards to smoking, we found no difference in the mean VHI-10 and scoring >11 in the questionnaire. Art and science teachers had the highest mean VHI-10 (P = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of the study revealed a higher perception of voice handicap in teachers than nonteachers. Therefore, emphasis should be on teachers in order to prevent voice damage.

Amount and Characteristics of Speaking and Singing Voice Use in Vocally Healthy Female College Student Singers During a Typical Week.

OBJECTIVES: Singers, college students, and females are groups known to be at an elevated risk of developing functional/hyperfunctional voice disorders; therefore, female college students majoring in vocal performance may be at an even higher risk. To mitigate this risk, it would be helpful to know the "safe limits" for voice use that would help maintain vocal health in this vulnerable group, but there is a paucity of high-quality objective information upon which to base such limits. This study employed weeklong ambulatory voice monitoring in a large group of vocally healthy female college student singers to begin providing the types of objective data that could be used to help develop improved vocal health guidelines. METHODS: Participants included 64 vocally healthy females currently enrolled in a vocal performance or similar program at a college or university. An ambulatory voice monitor recorded neck-surface acceleration throughout a typical week. A singing classifier was applied to the data to separate singing from speech. Weeklong vocal dose measures and distributional characteristics for standard voice measures were computed separately for singing and speech, and for both types of phonation combined. RESULTS: Participants spent 6.2% of the total monitoring time speaking and 2.1% singing (with total phonation time being 8.4%). Singing had a higher fo mode, more pitch variability, higher average sound pressure level (SPL), negatively skewed SPL distributions, lower average CPP, and higher H1-H2 values than speaking. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a basis for beginning to establish vocal health guidelines for female students enrolled in college-level vocal performance programs and for future studies of the types of voice disorders that are common in this group. Results also demonstrate the potential value that ambulatory voice monitoring may have in helping to objectively identify vocal behaviors that could contribute to voice problems in this population.

Gender differences in vocal doses among occupational voice users: a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Occupational voice users such as teachers, singers, and broadcasters have high vocal demands increasing the risk for developing voice disorders. Among occupational voice users, the literature has report gender differences in vocal doses as part of vocal demands. However, these differences have not been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To determine differences per gender on vocal doses among different groups of occupational voice users. METHODS: A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis were conducted on publications about vocal dose among occupational voice users. In total, 242 potential articles were found. After screening of titles and abstracts, 16 papers were included for full revision in the systematic review of literature. For the meta-analysis, 7 out of 16 papers were included. RESULTS: Females had higher phonation time percentage compared with males (mean difference = 1.44, p value = .16). Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant. Among call centre operators, there was no difference in time doses associated with gender. Sport teachers had high values in time dose percentage, dissipation, and radiated energies. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis shows variations in time doses, which could be associated with the vocal demand responses for females compared with males in occupational voice settings. Future investigations are required for establishing safe limits criteria for vocal doses, as well as vocal functioning in different working context.

Predictive Risk Factors and Occupational Impact of Self-Perceived Voice Problems in Preschool-Kindergarten versus First- to Sixth-Grade Teachers.

AIM: The aim of this investigation was to complete a further analysis of existing data to compare risk factors of voice problems as well as create a hierarchical ranking of risk factors in preschool-kindergarten and 1st- to 6th-grade teachers in order to develop a voice hygiene program and prioritize its goals for each group of teachers. METHODS: An online survey was completed by 148 preschool-kindergarten and 301 1st- to 6th-grade public school teachers. Participants were divided into four groups, preschool-kindergarten and 1st- to 6th-grade teachers with no self-perceived voice disorders and preschool-kindergarten and 1st- to 6th-grade teachers with self-perceived voice disorders. A χ2 test and a multivariate logistic regression model were used to examine the differences in answers between the preschool-kindergarten teachers with and without voice disorders and the 1st- to 6th-grade teachers with and without voice disorders and to identify the most important predictors. RESULTS: The significant predictors for preschool-kindergarten teachers are frequently or sometimes continuing to talk after a breath cycle and being exposed to an excessive or a lot of noise generated in the classroom. The significant predictors for 1st- to 6th-grade teachers include having short breaks between classes and continuing to talk frequently after a breath cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Job-related risk factors in preschool-kindergarten and in 1st- to 6th-grade teachers may vary. Therefore, a preventative vocal hygiene education program specifically tailored for each population of teachers is suggested.

Does the wearing of masks change voice and speech parameters?

PURPOSE: The authors aim to review available reports on the potential effects of masks on voice and speech parameters. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases through July 2021. Several targeted populations, mask scenarios and methodologies were approached. The assessed voice parameters were divided into self-reported, acoustic and aerodynamic. RESULTS: It was observed that the wearing of a face mask has been shown to induce several changes in voice parameters: (1) self-reported-significantly increased vocal effort and fatigue, increased vocal tract discomfort and increased values of voice handicap index (VHI) were observed; (2) acoustics-increased voice intensity, altered formants frequency (F2 and F3) with no changes in fundamental frequency, increased harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) and increased mean spectral values in high-frequency levels (1000-8000 Hz), especially with KN95 mask; (3) aerodynamics-maximum phonatory time was assessed in only two reports, and showed no alterations. CONCLUSION: Despite the different populations, mask-type scenarios and methodologies described by each study, the results of this review outline the significant changes in voice characteristics with the use of face masks. Wearing a mask shows to increase the perception of vocal effort and an alteration of the vocal tract length and speech articulatory movements, leading to spectral sound changes, impaired communication and perception. Studies analyzing the effect of masks on voice aerodynamics are lacking. Further research is required to study the long-term effects of face masks on the potential development of voice pathology.

Voz e Ensino a distância (EaD): proposta de um curso para professor universitário / Voice and Distance Learning: proposal of a course for a university professor / Voz y aprendizaje a distancia: propuesta de curso para un profesor universitario

Ao longo dos anos o entendimento de que o professor sofre limitações vocais quanto à qualidade e eficiência vocal tem sido ampliado de maneira constante. Questões além dos aspectos da qualidade vocal, queixas e sintomas se somam a importante influência que o trabalho tem na saúde do professor, condicionada também por fatores sociais, econômicos, tecnológicos e organizacionais. Paralelamente, há alguns anos, estudos com o professor universitário vem ganhando espaço, pois, observa-se que o setor da educação de ensino superior, no seu processo de reestruturação e adequação ao novo cenário socioeconômico e de produção da ciência, tecnologia e inovação, gera novas demandas que implicam transformações na organização do trabalho desse profissional. Dessa forma, a presente comunicação tem como objetivo apresentar uma proposta de curso para o professor universitário na modalidade ensino a distância (EaD), como uma ferramenta de sensibilização quanto às questões da saúde vocal, orientação e conscientização de mudanças de hábitos e promoção de estratégias para adequação do ambiente e da organização do trabalho que favoreçam a melhora da qualidade de vida. Organizado como comunicação assíncrona, o curso possui uma carga-horária total de 30 horas, e é dividido em seis módulos: 1 - A voz e suas características; 2 - Voz e trabalho; 3 - Voz e corpo; 4 - Voz e seus cuidados; 5 - Técnicas vocais e 6 - Estratégias comunicativas de expressividade.

Over the years, the understanding that the teacher suffers from vocal limitations in terms of vocal quality and efficiency has been steadily expanded. Issues beyond the aspects of vocal quality, complaints and symptoms are added to the important influence that the work has on the teacher's health, also conditioned by social, economic, technological and organizational factors. Simultaneously, studies with the university professor have been gaining space for a few years since we observe that higher education sector, in its process of restructuring and adaptation to the new socioeconomic scenario and the production of science, technology and innovation generates new demands that imply changes in the work organization of this professional. Thus, this communication presents a course proposal for the university teacher in distance education (DE) modality, as a tool to raise awareness of vocal health issues, changes in habits and promotion of strategies for environment adjustments and organization of the job that favor the improvement of quality of life. Organized as asynchronous communication, the course has a total workload of 30 hours, and is divided into six modules: 1 - The voice and its characteristics; 2 - Voice and work; 3 - Voice and body; 4 - Voice and its care; 5 - Vocal techniques and 6 - Communicative strategies of expressiveness.

A lo largo de los años, la comprensión de que el maestro sufre de limitaciones vocales en términos de calidad y eficiencia vocal se ha ampliado constantemente. Temas más allá de los aspectos de calidad vocal, quejas y síntomas se suman a la importante influencia que tiene el trabajo en la salud del docente, condicionada también por factores sociales, económicos, tecnológicos y organizativos. Al mismo tiempo, los estudios con el profesor universitario vienen ganando espacio desde hace algunos años, ya que se observa que el sector de la educación superior, en su proceso de reestructuración y adaptación al nuevo escenario socioeconómico y la producción de ciencia, tecnología e innovación, genera nuevas demandas que implican cambios en la organización del trabajo de este profesional. Así, esta comunicación tiene como objetivo presentar una propuesta de curso para el profesor universitario en educación a distancia (DE), como herramienta de sensibilización en temas de salud vocal, orientación y sensibilización sobre cambios de hábitos y promoción de estrategias de adaptación al entorno y organización del trabajo. que favorecen la mejora de la calidad de vida. Organizado como comunicación asincrónica, el curso tiene una carga de trabajo total de 30 horas, y se divide en seis módulos: 1 - La voz y sus características; 2 - Voz y trabajo; 3 - Voz y cuerpo; 4 - Voz y su cuidado; 5 - Técnicas vocales y 6 - Estrategias comunicativas de expresividad.

Use of Prophylactic Steroids to Prevent Hypocalcemia and Voice Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Total thyroidectomy is associated with risks related to temporary hypocalcemia and vocal quality dysfunction. Dexamethasone has been proposed to have a physiological effect on hypocalcemia and voice quality. Objective: To assess the effect of preoperative dexamethasone used to improve hypocalcemia and postthyroidectomy voice dysfunction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 15, 2014, to December 31, 2019, at the Department of Surgery, Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. All patients with a benign thyroid condition and no preoperative corrected hypocalcemia and voice or vocal quality dysfunction were included. Patients were excluded if they had previous thyroid or neck surgery, known vocal cord dysfunction on laryngoscopy, hearing or voice problems, a history of gastroesophageal reflux, stomach ulcer disease, or contraindications to steroid use. Interventions: Corrected serum calcium levels and Voice Analog Score defined and measured preoperatively. The dexamethasone group received a 2-mL intravenous dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone 60 minutes before the induction of anesthesia. In contrast, the placebo group received 2 mL of intravenous normal saline (0.9%) 60 minutes before the induction of anesthesia. Main Outcomes and Measures: Evidence of hypocalcemia and voice dysfunction. Voice dysfunction was defined as a subjective score of less than 50 on a Voice Analog Score scale of 0 to 100 points. Results: A total of 192 patients (mean [SD] age, 38.9 [12.4] years; 156 women [81.2%]) were included in the study, with 96 patients randomized to each study group (dexamethasone group, mean [SD] age, 39.2 [12.1] years; 75 women [78.1%]; placebo group, mean [SD] age, 38.5 [12.9] years; 81 women [84.5%]). In the first 24 hours after undergoing thyroidectomy, 47 patients (24.4%) developed hypocalcemia and 18 (9.4%) were symptomatic. At 3 days postthyroidectomy, 4 of 96 patients (4.2%) in the placebo group had hypocalcemia compared with no patients in the dexamethasone group. At 24 hours postthyroidectomy, 8 of 96 patients (8.3%) in the dexamethasone group had voice dysfunction compared with 32 of 96 patients (33.3%) in the placebo group. A total of 40 patients (20.8%) reported voice dysfunction. The absolute reduction in the rate of hypocalcemia at 24 hours was 24% (95% CI, 11.9%-35.2%) and at 3 days was 4.2% (-0.44% to 10.0%). The rate of symptomatic hypocalcemia was 19% lower in the dexamethasone group than in the placebo group (95% CI, 11.1%-27.7%). The rate of voice dysfunction was 25% lower in the dexamethasone group than in the placebo group (95% CI, 13.7%-35.7%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone was safe and effective in reducing postoperative hypocalcemia and voice dysfunction rates in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04752852.