Self-Perception of Vocal Loading Effects and Short-Term Voice Care Outcomes in Egyptian Soccer Fans Volunteers

Abstract

Background: Soccer fans create violent vocalizations for hours and not adjust their voices as professional voice users. Acute phonotrauma is the result of sound produced when one's voice is shouted or strained. To our knowledge, no further studies are available in the research area performed on a related group of samples in Egypt.Objective: Self-assessment of acute changes in voices of soccer fans who volunteered to the current study after a soccer match as a vocal loading challenge and assessed in three different times (pre-match, post-match) and 1 week post-match after receiving vocal hygiene measures and investigate the impact of voice hygienic measures in overloading vocal tasks.Patients and Methods: During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations a longitudinal follow-up was conducted among volunteer soccer fans. Clinical laryngoscopic examination (CLE) was performed to all participants to exclude vocal fold lesions before the match. Auditory perceptual voice analysis (APA), and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire were adminstered in three time points apart: before the match, within 9 to 15 h post-match, and 1 week after the match. All participants were subjected to voice hygiene instructions post-match and reevaluated after 1 week.Results: VHI scores increased statistically significantly after the match, compared with pre-match scores (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between post-match VHI scores and post-match dysphonia grade (P < 0.05). Positive statistical significance was found when comparing grade of dysphonia post-match and follow-up.Conclusion: Phono-traumatic behaviors are the likely source of vocal impairment. It is thought that VHI and perceptual voice analysis should be done together for diagnosis and follow-up of voice changes in vocal loading tasks. Short-term vocal hygiene program was beneficial in improving vocal quality.