Comparison between Voice Disorders among Female Professional and Nonprofessional Voice Users Dealing with Early School Aged Children

Abstract

Abstract Background Voice disorders are common among females; a main cause is their continuous communication with children as their caregivers. Teachers are exposed to voice abuse and misuse and so also housewives, both of them use their voice excessively to deal with children. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to compare between voice disorders among female professional and non-professional voice users, in order to identify voice problems affecting nonprofessional voice users for prevention, early detection and proper management to avoid serious vocal health injuries. Study Design a comparative cross-sectional study. Patients and Methods This study included 100 adult female patients who complained of symptoms of voice disorders and were subjected for voice evaluation at the Phoniatrics Unit, Ain Shams University Hospitals. The participated patients were aged between 20 years to 50 years and were divided into 2 groups 50 in each group, group I (teachers) and group II (housewives). Detailed history taking, auditory perceptual assessment of voice (APA), video-laryngoscopic examination, documentation of the auditory perceptual assessment, acoustic analysis and application of Arabic VHI (voice handicap index) were done for all cases. Results The duration of the voice complaint was longer in teachers than housewives. There was nonsignificant difference between both groups regarding the presence of phonasthenic symptoms. The impact of compliant regarding patients own rating of the severity and effect on daily life was higher` in housewives than in teachers, but there was non-significant difference between both groups regarding the listener reaction. There was non-significant difference between teachers and housewives as regard the APA in the overall grade of dysphonia and voice quality. The most prevalent diagnosis of voice disorders among teachers was the vocal fold nodules, while phonasthenia was the most prevalent in housewives. There was a significant difference between the teachers and housewives as regard the total score, functional and emotional subscales of VHI. Results of the acoustic analysis revealed a significant difference between teachers and housewives as regard average F0, jitter % where teachers had higher scores than housewives. While there was non-significant difference as regard RAP, shimm%, APQ and NHR between both groups. A significant positive correlation was found between number of children and functional, emotional and total VHI score in housewives group. There was a significant positive correlation between number of students and patient’s own rating of severity and years of teaching in teachers group. Moreover, there was a highly significant positive relation between having children and emotional subscale of VHI in teachers group. Also, there was a significant positive relation between number of children and functional subscale of VHI in housewives group. Conclusion Voice disorders are common among housewives (Nonprofessional voice users) the same as in teachers (Professional voice users) especially when dealing with early school aged children. Recommendation There is need to increase awareness among the housewives about the importance of voice in their daily life, risk factors for voice problems, how to protect themselves from developing vocal pathologies and when to consult the medical professional.