To examine the frequency and adverse effects of voice disorders on job performance and attendance in teachers and the general population, 2,401 participants from Iowa and Utah (n1=1,243 teachers an...

Voice disorders in teachers and the general population: effects on work performance, attendance, and future career choices.

Purpose Voice therapy with a semi-occluded vocal tract has a long history. The use of lip trills, tongue trills, bilabial fricatives, humming, and phonation into tubes or straws has been hailed by ...

Voice training and therapy with a semi-occluded vocal tract: rationale and scientific underpinnings.

A well-functioning voice is an essential tool for one third of the labour force Vocal demands vary to a great extent between the different voice and speech professions In professions with heavy vocal loading (eg school and kindergarten teachers), occupational voice disorders threatening working ability are common Vocal loading is a combination of prolonged voice use and additional loading factors (eg background noise, acoustics, air quality) affecting the fundamental frequency, type and loudness of phonation or the vibratory characteristics of the vocal folds as well as the external frame of the larynx The prevention and treatment of occupational voice disorders calls for improved occupational safety and health (OSH) arrangements for voice and speech professionals On the basis of epidemiological and acoustic-physiological research, the presence of risk to vocal health can be substantiated From the point of view of the physical load on the vocal apparatus, loading-related physiological changes (adaptation) may play a role in the occupational risk Environmental factors affect vocal loading changes In teaching professions, the working environment is shared with children, who benefit from amendments of OSH legislation concerning their teachers

Occupational Safety and Health Aspects of Voice and Speech Professions

Objective: Occupational voice disorders in Poland account for over 25% of all occupational diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of voice problems in the gener

The prevalence and risk factors for occupational voice disorders in teachers.

Epidemiology of Voice Disorders in Teachers and Nonteachers in Brazil: Prevalence and Adverse Effects

The purpose of this paper is to provide a cohesive review of the literature regarding the functional consequences of voice problems and occupational risk factors for them. The salient points are as follows. According to conservative estimates, approximately 28000000 workers in the US experience daily voice problems. Many people who experience voice problems perceive them to have a negative impact on their work and their quality of life. Estimates based on empirical data suggest that, considering only lost work days and treatment expenses, the societal cost of voice problems in teachers alone may be of the order of about $2.5 billion annually in the US. In fact, across several countries, ''teacher'' consistently emerges as the common occupation most likely to seek otorhinolaryngological (ORL) evaluation for a voice problem. Other occupational categories likely to seek ORL examination for a voice problem are singer, counselor/social worker, lawyer, and clergy. Finally, US Census data indicate that keyboard ...

Review: occupational risks for voice problems.

Laryngeal adduction in resonant voice

Singers and actors frequently complain about dusty and dry theater environments, which they believe induce respiratory tract indispositions and decrements in vocal performance. In the literature to date, extremely few quantitative data exist about actual climatic conditions on stage. A previous study by our group in an unhumidified theater found that it had too high temperatures, too dry and too dusty air, based on German occupational guidelines for the generic workplace. In the present study, humidification units were installed in the same theater, and the environmental measures were repeated. The primary findings indicated that, following the activation of the humidification units, temperatures, humidities and fine dust concentrations were improved and generally within acceptable ranges for the generic workplace, although not always optimal. Where unacceptable performance environments exist, special care should be taken to counsel performers with regard to possible prophylactic measures such as individu...

Katherine Verdolini

Papers

Review: occupational risks for voice problems.

Laryngeal adduction in resonant voice

Working conditions on stage: climatic considerations.