Respiratory and Sound Pressures, Maximum Phonation Time, Cervical Disability and Voice-Related Quality of Life of Teachers

Abstract

IntroductionMany teachers report discomfort and a decrease in the quality of aerodynamic, respiratory, and cervical vocal aspects as well as of vocal self-assessment. ObjectiveCharacterize and correlate measurements of Sound Pressure Levels, Maximum Phonation Time of /a/, Maximum Respiratory Pressures, Voice-Related Quality of Life and cervical pain in teachers with vocal and musculoskeletal complaints and no organic vocal fold lesions, and compare with normative values. MethodsRetrospective study with 56 teachers. Anamnesis, video laryngoscopy, hearing screening, measurements of sound pressure and maximum phonation time, and manovacuometry were performed. Self-assessment protocols for Voice-Related Quality of Life and Neck Disability Index were completed. Resultsthere was significant higher Sound Pressure Levels; significant lower Maximum Phonation Time of /a/, Maximum Expiratory Pressure, and total and physical scores of Voice-Related Quality of Life; most participants had mild cervical disability; there was a negative correlation between Maximum Expiratory Pressure and Neck Disability Index, between Maximum Inspiratory Pressure and Maximum Sound Pressure Level, and between Neck Disability Index and Voice-Related Quality of Life. ConclusionThe results showed that there are damages and inadequacies in teachers’ vocal production which affect their quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the conditions of use of the voice by professionals, and to their health education.