STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research and Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions

Effects of Vocal Loading task on Teachers’ voice: Measures of Acoustical, Aerodynamic and Self-Perceptual Vocal Parameters

  1. Ruth Deborah D.

Abstract

Teachers are susceptible to develop dysphonia due to heavy vocal loading. The study aimed to evaluate teachers’ voice before and after vocal loading task, at the beginning and end of the day. Subjects included 70 female (mean age:34.61 years) and 30 male teachers (mean age:36.80 years) aged 25-40 years, involved in atleast four hours of teaching per day. Based on years of teaching experience, they were categorized into four groups. Acoustic analysis for sustained phonation of vowel /a/, reading task, Maximum Phonation Duration of vowels, S/Z ratio and Vocal Fatigue index Questionnaire were assessed. Significant increase in vocal fatigue and all acoustic parameters except jitter %(P<0.001) was found. No positive association between years of teaching experience and vocal symptoms.

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