Comparison between male and female teachers in Egyptian primary schools regarding the effect of teaching on their voice

E A Zaky,A Maher,H Mamdouh,Z Khalaf

doi:10.1186/s43163-020-00033-1

Abstract

BackgroundTeachers are more likely to develop voice disorders compared to non-teachers in other occupations. Teachers are often cited as a high-risk group for vocal dysfunction as they use their voices extensively over their profession for instructing and managing students, also due to other extra loading factors, such as background noise, long speaking distance, poor room acoustics, and lack of adequate equipment, like voice amplifiers. The primary school teachers are particularly at risk as they have little opportunity for voice rest during the working day. Gender is another factor affecting incidence of voice disorders. Female teachers seem to be more affected by voice disorders than male teachers. The aim of our study was to compare between genders (male–female teachers) in primary schools to show the effect of teaching and other risk factors on their voice for proper management.ResultsThe study showed that there were statistically significant differences between male teachers and female teachers regarding history of voice change; female teachers had history of voice change more than male teachers. Female teachers suffered from emotional stress more than male teachers, and this affects their voice. In addition, study showed a significant association between the grade of dysphonia and VHI.ConclusionThere is evidence that female teachers are complaining more of voice change and suffering from voice disorders than males. Besides, female teachers are showing a higher degree of emotional stress. This may necessitate a combined assessment of the voice and psychological profile of all teachers with voice change.

Highlights

Teachers are more likely to develop voice disorders compared to non-teachers in other occupations
Group I included 100 male teachers work at primary school, group II include 100 female teachers work at primary school with the average working hours per week (15 h/week) for both groups, age ranging from 25 years to 55 years
The individuals in this study included in two groups: Male teachers (GI): included 100 male teachers work at a primary school

Summary

Introduction

Teachers are more likely to develop voice disorders compared to non-teachers in other occupations. The primary school teachers are at risk as they have little opportunity for voice rest during the working day. Gender is another factor affecting incidence of voice disorders. The aim of our study was to compare between genders (male–female teachers) in primary schools to show the effect of teaching and other risk factors on their voice for proper management. Voice problems are very common and widely spread, it seems that certain occupational factors put vocal health at higher risk than others. First of those high-risk persons are professional voice users [1]. Teachers who experience stress may deal with a vicious cycle: stress and anxiety contribute to voice problems and voice problems contribute to them [9]

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Discussion

Conclusion