An Evaluation of Quality, Reliability, and Accuracy of Vocal Health Content on TikTok.

OBJECTIVES: Social media plays an ever-growing part in modern life and is a frequent source of health information for patients. Singers are particularly likely to receive health information solely from fellow musicians and may experience barriers to seeking vocal healthcare. However, there have been no studies to date evaluating vocal health information on social media. Our study aimed to assess the quality, reliability, and accuracy of vocal health content on TikTok. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. METHODS: Three searches were carried out on Tiktok, using the terms "vocal health," "vocal injury," and "voice tips." The top 50 videos in each category were cataloged for extraction of data and for analysis on three discrete scales. Two independent reviewers rated each video using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), modified DISCERN scale, and Accuracy in Digital-health Instrument (ANDI). RESULTS: After the removal of duplicates and unavailable content, 146 videos were analyzed. The mean (range) length was 59.8 seconds (5-239), and number of views per video was 886,265 (432-36,700,000). The vast majority of videos (94.5%) were created by non-clinicians; only two videos (1.37%) were posted by otolaryngologists. The mean (SD) GQS score was 2.34 (0.75) out of a maximum of five, the DISCERN score was 0.97 (0.56) out of five, and the ANDI score was 2.85 (0.87) out of four. Video length was positively correlated with GQS and DISCERN scores, but views, likes, and shares were either not associated or negatively associated with GQS, DISCERN, and ANDI. CONCLUSIONS: Most videos were of low quality and reliability and moderate accuracy. Measures of popularity were either uncorrelated or negatively correlated with quality, reliability, and accuracy, suggesting that TikTok users are more likely to engage with lower-quality content online. This implies a potential role for vocal health professionals to fill a crucial gap with reliable information on social media.

Vocal Health Assessment of Professional Performers Returning to the Stage After the COVID-19 Pandemic Shutdown.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study assessed the vocal health of performers returning to full-time performance after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and investigated how differences in voice usage, exposure to voice care professionals, and vocal pathology before and during the pandemic contributed to variability in self-perceived and instrumental vocal outcome measures. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, case-control observational study conducted at a single outpatient site. METHODS: Twenty-two patients, 11 cases and 11 controls, were enrolled for the study. All participants were full-time singing professionals prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases were recruited from patients presenting to a tertiary care voice center for vocal or pharyngeal complaints. Controls were healthy volunteers recruited from the general population of professional singers in the surrounding metropolitan area. All participants provided responses to the Voice Handicap Index-10, Evaluation of Ability to Sing Easily, and Laryngopharyngeal Measure of Perceived Sensation validated questionnaires as well as a study survey with questions regarding vocal use and history prior to and during the pandemic. All participants underwent instrumental acoustic and videostroboscopic voice evaluations. RESULTS: Cases had poorer outcome measures overall and were more likely to report their voices were worse at study enrollment when compared to their prepandemic perception (P = 0.027). Cases tended to be older and less likely to have pursued alternative employment during the pandemic that involved increased speaking voice use (27% vs 55%), but these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There was a variable response among performers to the prolonged hiatus from performing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with poorer outcomes tended to be older and may have used their voice less during the pandemic. These findings are consistent with detraining periods in the exercise physiology literature and support the construct of treating vocal performers as vocal athletes.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Voice Disorders Among Teachers in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Voice is a crucial tool for communication, and voice problems are more likely to occur in professionals who frequently use their voice for work. Teachers, whose profession requires sustained vocal use, are particularly susceptible to occupation-related voice disorders. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of voice disorders among teachers in Saudi Arabia, with the general population serving as a control group, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by both teachers and the general population in Saudi Arabia. The latter group acted as a control. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic data, teaching patterns, symptoms of voice issues, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) for assessing voice disorders among participants. Results The study included 640 participants, with 438 (68.4%) being teachers, the majority of whom were females (N = 406; 63.4%). The most common voice-related symptoms reported by teachers were hoarseness (N = 210; 37.9%) and dry throat (N = 147; 26.9%). Voice disorders, as determined by the VHI, affected 355 (55.5%) of the teachers. A high VHI score was associated with a diagnosis of voice disorders and GERD. There was no significant difference in the VHI scores between teachers and the general population (p > 0.05). Conclusion Teachers in Saudi Arabia exhibited a higher prevalence of voice disorders compared to the general population. Risk factors, such as smoking, longer teaching experience, and more teaching hours per week, were more common among teachers with voice disorders. Further investigative studies are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between these variables and voice disorders.

Voice Disorders Among Teachers in Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background Voice disorders (VD) pose significant challenges for teachers as they impact their professional and personal lives. Teaching requires extensive use of the voice, making teachers particularly susceptible to vocal health issues. VD can hinder the quality of education. Objectives This study aimed to comprehensively explore the prevalence, associated factors, and impact of VD among teachers and their health-seeking behavior regarding VD. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), between November and December 2023. The data were collected through a questionnaire covering demographic variables, occupational factors, voice-related symptoms, associated health conditions, and the impact of VD. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 26 (IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), and chi-squared tests were used to assess associations. Results The study involved 568 teachers, 61.8% of whom had VD. The study identified significant associations between VD and demographic characteristics, habits, and teaching-related variables. Age, gender, teaching subject, class size, and weekly teaching load were associated with the prevalence of VD. Hoarseness, throat pain, and throat dryness were prevalent symptoms among teachers with VD. The impact of VD on teachers was evident, with a considerable proportion reporting work absenteeism (28.7%) and even contemplating retirement due to voice problems (6.3%). Conclusion This study offers a nuanced understanding of VD among teachers in the Taif region, emphasizing the complex interplay of demographic, symptomatic, and behavioral factors. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including awareness campaigns, preventive strategies, and streamlined healthcare access, to address the unique challenges that different subgroups of teachers face. Future research should further explore longitudinal trajectories and objective measures to enhance our understanding of VD in educational settings.

The influence of sensor size on experimental measurement accuracy of vocal fold contact pressure.

The vocal folds experience repeated collision during phonation. The resulting contact pressure is often considered to play an important role in vocal fold injury, and has been the focus of many experimental studies. In this study, vocal fold contact pattern and contact pressure during phonation were numerically investigated. The results show that vocal fold contact in general occurs within a horizontal strip on the medial surface, first appearing at the inferior medial surface and propagating upward. Because of the localized and travelling nature of vocal fold contact, sensors of a finite size may significantly underestimate the peak vocal fold contact pressure, particularly for vocal folds of low transverse stiffness. This underestimation also makes it difficult to identify the contact pressure peak in the intraglottal pressure waveform. These results showed that the vocal fold contact pressure reported in previous experimental studies may have significantly underestimated the actual values. It is recommended that contact pressure sensors with a diameter no greater than 0.4 mm are used in future experiments to ensure adequate accuracy in measuring the peak vocal fold contact pressure during phonation.

Hidratación combinada y efectos en la salud vocal en estudiantes de logopedia / Combined hydration and effects on the vocal health in speech language pathology students

Objetivo: Evaluar si la hidratación combinada (sistémico y superficial) disminuye síntomas vocales y mejora la eficiencia glótica en una muestra de estudiantes de Logopedia. Material y Métodos: Estudio cuasi-experimental con grupo Hidratación (N=20) y grupo Control (N=19) con valoración pre y post-hidratación (ingesta de agua 1.500 ml/día e inhalaciones dos veces/día durante una semana). Se analizaron factores deshidratantes relacionados con la voz (uso vocal, tabaco, alcohol, café, respiración bucal), síntomas vocales y eficiencia glótica a través del Tiempo Máximo Fonación, Fo, Jitter % y Shimmer %, usando Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). Resultados: Grupo Hidratación disminuyó significativamente sequedad (p = 0,013), carraspeo (p = 0,005), fatiga vocal (p = 0,015), dolor faríngeo (p = 0,009), Shimmer % (p = 0,048) frente al grupo Control que sólo disminuyó el carraspeo (p = 0,02). Conclusiones: La hidratación combinada puede ser una medida útil para mejorar la salud vocal de los futuros logopedas. (AU

Objective: To evaluate if a combined hydration (systemic and superficial) decreases the vocal symptoms and improves the glottic efficiency in a sample of university students of Speech therapist. Material and Methods: Quasi-experimental study with Hydration group (N=20) and Control group (N=19) with pre and post-hydration assessment (water intake 1.500 ml/day and steam twice/day for a week). Voice-related dehydrating factors (vocal use, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, oral breathing), vocal symptoms and glottic efficiency through Maximum Phonation Time, Fo, Jitter % and Shimmer %, using Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) were analyzed. Results: Hydration group significantly decreased dryness (p = .013=, throat clearing (p = .005), vocal fatigue (p = .015), pain throat (p = .009) and Shimmer % (p = .048) compared to the Control group, which only decreased throat clearing (p = .02). Discussion: The combined hydration may be a useful measure to improve vocal health for future speech-language-pathologists. (AU)

Vocal health and stress: the occupational voice users' perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic / Salud vocal y estrés: la perspectiva de los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz durante la pandemia COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a new scenario for vocal and psychological morbidity among the entire population. Occupational voice users have had to adapt to these unique circumstances, confronting brand-new risks that increase the odds of developing and exacerbate vocal and mental health disor-ders. This paper addresses some of these challenges during and after COVID-19 pandemic. As a major outcome, we identified that work-related factors in online environments could be altering the vocal and mental health among occupational voice users. Interventions should focus on a comprehensive assessment of risk fac-tors, including poor mental health previous to a crisis, life-threatening circumstances, separation from family, panic and bereavement. Similarly, this type of worker must receive instructions in voice training, muscle relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and educational technolog

La pandemia del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ha creado un nuevo escenario para la morbilidad vocal y psicológica entre la población mundial. Los usuarios ocupacio-nales de la voz se han tenido que adaptar a estas circunstancias únicas, enfrentando nuevos riesgos que aumentan las probabilidades de desarrollar y agravar desórdenes vocales y mentales. Este documento aborda algunos de estos desafíos durante y des-pués de la pandemia del COVID-19. Un resultado sustancial que fue identificado fue la incidencia de los factores relacionados con el trabajo online sobre la salud vocal y mental de los usuarios ocupacionales de la voz. Las intervenciones deberían enfo-carse en la evaluación exhaustiva de los factores de riesgo, incluyendo el estudio de la salud mental previo a una crisis, circunstancias que amenacen la vida, separación

Study on Assessment and Treatment Patterns of Speech-Language Pathologists in Pediatric Vocal Problem Through Multicenter Survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric vocal health problems are relatively common. However, it is not yet well studied whether uniform diagnosis and treatment is done properly in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methods that the Korean speech therapists use to diagnose and treat pediatric voice problem. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to 32 speech language therapists registered at the Korean laryngeal speech linguistics society detailing demographics, employment institution, general management of pediatric patients with vocal problem including assessment and treatment procedures. RESULTS: Current practice patterns were analyzed on 32 speech language therapists providing services in South Korea mostly working at tertiary university hospital. One third of pediatric patients were assessed without proceeding to treatment. One fifth of patients were treated without assessment. Perceptual assessment was the main pre-treatment assessment methods used. Treatment was done in the following order : Voice rest, SOVT, yawn-sigh and resonant voice. Post-treatment evaluation was used in the following order : Instrumental assessment, clinical judgment, and recording comparison. CONCLUSION: Speech language therapists practice in South Korea mostly follows the ASHA practice guidelines. However, there are still great amount of cases in which only the evaluation was done without appropriate treatment. Further research is needed to make SPLs more systematic and efficient for evaluating and treating pediatric vocal patients.

Lip trill effects on vocal function, vocal pitch, and harmonics-to-noise ratio: A multiple baseline study of three vocally healthy females

Background@#The lip trill is a semi-occluded vocal tract exercise found to have positive outcomes on vocal parameters of healthy individuals after a single session. However, the effect of several lip trill sessions has not been studied.@*Objective@#This study investigated the effect of a 3- to 4-week lip trill exercise program on Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), Maximum Phonation Frequency Range (MPFR), Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), and mean Speaking Fundamental Frequency (mean SFF).@*Methods@#Three vocally untrained healthy females with perceptually normal voices participated in a multiple-baseline, single-case experimental research. Five to seven direct training sessions were randomly assigned. Self-implementation was encouraged thereafter. Participants were assessed on all outcome measures for 15 sessions. Data were visualized and inspected. Cohen’s d was also derived using Standardized Mean Difference for single-subject research.@*Results@#Visual and statistical analyses revealed a decreased MPT when training was introduced, increased MPFR variability during the training phase, and increased stability in mean SFF post-training. Perceived effects include vocal freedom, decreased laryngeal stress, and vocal conditioning. Vocal outcomes in one participant yielded a significant effect on MPFR and mean SFF and a small effect on HNR.@*Conclusion@#There is evidence of lip trill effect on pitch control and vocal conditioning. Findings also revealed that motivation, exercise frequency, and adherence could contribute to positive gains in vocally healthy speakers. Further investigation in consideration of the study findings and limitations is warranted.

Saúde vocal do professor: intervenção fonoaudiológica na atenção primária à saúde / Vocal health of teacher: phonoaudiologic intervention in primary health care

OBJETIVO: apresentar uma ação de promoção a saúde vocal dos professores de três escolas municipais situadas no Distrito Sanitário III, em Recife-PE, no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde - APS. MÉTODO: foi aplicado um questionário sobre o histórico vocal dos professores e realizadas seis oficinas de voz, com o intuito de sensibilizar os docentes sobre a importância dos cuidados com a voz e incentivar a prática dos exercícios vocais preventivamente como ação cotidiana dentro do processo de trabalho. Por fim, foi aplicado um questionário para avaliar a percepção dos docentes em relação às oficinas. RESULTADOS: as educadoras encontravam-se na faixa etária de 17-55 anos, tinham 10,4 anos em média de exercício profissional e 96,3% relatou a percepção de problemas com a voz ou fala, sendo que quanto maior a frequência de aparecimento do problema, maior era o tempo de exercício profissional, a jornada de trabalho e a idade. Os depoimentos foram positivos em relação às oficinas, sendo que 80% das docentes referiu melhora no desempenho profissional e 93,3% afirmou que continuará realizando os exercícios, mas apontaram a falta de tempo como principal dificuldade para realização dos exercícios rotineiramente. CONCLUSÃO: estes resultados identificam a importância da introdução de ações voltadas à saúde do professor com o intuito de amenizar os efeitos do trabalho sobre sua saúde, e a inserção do fonoaudiólogo na APS a fim de facilitar estas ações na prática cotidiana. A utilização do espaço escolar permite configurá-lo como espaço social para tomada de consciência, reflexão, discussão sobre as condições de trabalho e como um ambiente saudável.

PURPOSE: to promote the vocal health of teachers from three municipal schools situated in the III Sanitary District, in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil, which is in the sphere of PHC (Primary Health Care). METHOD: a questionnaire on vocal history of teachers was answered in six voice workshops to raise awareness among teachers about the importance of voice care and to encourage the practice of vocal exercises as a preventative action in their daily process of teaching. In the last meeting a questionnaire was presented to assess the result of the workshops. RESULTS: the teachers were aged 17-55 years, were on average 10.4 years of professional experience and 96.3% reported problems with the perception of voice or speech, and the higher the frequency of occurrence of the problem, was the largest exercise time professional, working day and age. The statements were positive about the workshops, with 80% of teachers reported improvement in work performance and 93.3% said it will continue doing the exercises, but pointed out the lack of time as the main difficulty in the exercises routinely. CONCLUSION: these results identify the importance of introducing health actions of the teacher in order to mitigate the effects of work on their health, and the insertion of a speech therapist in the PHC to facilitate these actions in everyday practice. The use of school space lets set it up as a space for social awareness, reflection, discussion about working conditions as well as a healthy environment.