Care of the professional voice in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Care of the professional voice in developing countries like Egypt is not that widely prevalent, so it is expected to have a big size of the problem among the different categories. Methods: In an attempt to demonstrate the type and nature of the breakdown of the singing voice, how to evaluate and to treat this, 22 singers with variable vocal breakdown were subjected to a comprehensive protocol of voice assessment which was carried out in the Phoniatric unit, Ain Shams University. The diagnostic protocol encompassed elementary diagnostic procedures including interviews with the patients APA, clinical diagnostic aids (laryngostroboscopy and high-fidelity voice recording) and additional instrumental measures including aerodynamic and acoustic measures. Results: The presenting problem was change of voice, phonasthenia or potential resonance problem. There was minimal initial pathological profile ranging from hyperfunctional dysphonia or phonasthenic manifestations with suitable stroboscopic aerodynamic and acoustic changes to minimal vocal fold lesions as polyps nodules, early Reinke's oedema or dysplasia. A wide variety of singers were represented in this study (artistic singers “operatic, pop, ballad and oriental” and specialized singers: “Quraan reciters and priests”). Treatment modalities were mainly behavior readjustment voice therapy. Phonosurgery was resorted to some cases with an adjuvant voice therapy. Vocal breakdown improved both subjectively and objectively. Conclusion: Egypt represents a unique multicultural society with a wide variety of singers. Accent Method (AM) proved to be effective either per se or in conjunction with phonosurgery in readjusting some mechanisms of the breakdown of the vocal technique.