Hoarseness and vocal tract discomfort and associated risk factors in air traffic controllers

Gustavo Polacow Korn,Anna Carolina Villar,Renata Rangel Azevedo

doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.02.009

Gustavo Polacow Korn, Anna Carolina Villar + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.02.009

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Abstract

IntroductionAn air traffic controller is a professional who performs air traffic control functions in air traffic control units and is responsible for controlling the various stages of a flight. ObjectiveTo compare hoarseness and vocal tract discomfort and their risk factors among air traffic controllers in the approach control of São Paulo. MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey, a voice self-evaluation adapted from to self-evaluation prepared by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor for teachers was administered to 76 air traffic controllers at approach control of São Paulo, Brazil. ResultsThe percentage of hoarseness and vocal tract discomfort was 19.7% and 38.2%, respectively. In relation to air pollution, the percentages of hoarseness and vocal tract discomfort were higher among those who consider their working environment to be intolerable than among those in a comfortable or disturbing environment. The percentage of hoarseness was higher among those who seek medical advice due to vocal complaints and among those who experience difficulty using their voice at work than among those who experience mild or no difficulty. The percentage of vocal tract discomfort was higher among those in a very tense and stressful environment than among those who consider their work environment to be mild or moderately tense and stressful. The percentage of vocal tract discomfort was higher among those who describe themselves as very tense and stressed or tense and stressed than among those who describe themselves as calm. Additionally, the percentage of vocal tract discomfort was higher among those who care about their health. ConclusionAmong air traffic controllers, the percentage of vocal tract discomfort was almost twice that of hoarseness. Both symptoms are prevalent among air traffic controllers who considered their workplace intolerable in terms of air pollution. Vocal tract discomfort was related to a tense and stressful environment, and hoarseness was related to difficulty using the voice at work.

Highlights

An air traffic controller is a professional who performs air traffic control functions in air traffic control units and is responsible for controlling the various stages of a flight
The average and standard deviation time of those working as an Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) was 7.8 ± 6.6 years
Voice self-evaluation forms, which were prepared by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor for teachers,[14] and adapted to ATC, were completed by all 76 ATCs belonging to the Approach Control (APP)-SP during a 1 month period in 2016

Summary

Introduction

An air traffic controller is a professional who performs air traffic control functions in air traffic control units and is responsible for controlling the various stages of a flight. Professional voice use is defined as oral communication by people who depend on their voice to perform their working activities.[1] Approximately one-third of current professions use the voice to varying degrees.[2] Among professionals who rely on their voices, teachers are the focus of most studies on professional voice use.3---10. As another professional voice user, Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) have been the focus of few studies on voice problems and communicative competence.[11]. These professionals are responsible for controlling the various stages of a flight.[12]

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