INVESTIGATION OF FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY OF FARSI VOWELS IN FEMALE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Abstract

Background and Aim: Teachers are one of the professional voice users, so voice disorders have higher rate among them. The prevalence of voice disorders is high (47.5 %) in them .Detailed information about voice disorders may be one of the most important factors for preventing it. This research is performed to investigate the relationship between Fundamental frequency and its possible changes in female primary school teachers with voice disorder. Materials and Methods: In this field cross-sectional survey, 90 female teachers in primary schools with mean age of 42.2 years were compared with 90 non-teacher females with mean age of 42.6 years. Background information was collected via interview and laryngeal assessment by Stroboscopy. Vowel production test was performed and recorded by Sound recorder program was assessed by Dr. Speech device and Real Analysisprogram. Data were compared between groups. Results: Results showed there was significant difference in fundamental frequency between groups (p<0.001). The mean of fundamental frequency was greater in teacher s’ voice (210.03 ±25.65 Hz) than in non-teachers’ voice (194.11± 20.81Hz) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Finding reveals that age and years of occupation affect fundamental frequency in teachers group. In other words, increasing the age and years of occupation is related to decreasing of the fundamental frequency. The detailed information about the prevalence of voice disorders among teachers can prepare an appropriate situation for some preventional activities such as voice hygience and professional voice training. Keywords: Fundamental frequency, School teachers, vowels