Self-perception of voice symptoms and vocal health and hygiene knowledge in popular and classical singers.

Janaina Dos Santos Coelho,Claudia Pacheco,Felipe Moreti,Mara Behlau

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20202018304

Abstract

Verify the perception of popular and classical singers in relation to vocal symptoms and their possible relations regarding knowledge of health and vocal hygiene. This study was composed of 242 singers, aged between 17 and 60, of both sexes. A total of 56 singers were selected, with 186 singers, divided into 104 Popular Singers Group (PSG) and 82 Classical Singers Group (CSG). All participants answered the questionnaire for identification and also vocal self-assessment, and two protocols were applied, namely: Brazilian validated version of Voice Symptom Scale - VoiSS (Escala de Sintomas Vocais - ESV) and Questionário de Saúde e Higiene Vocal (QSHV). The largest number of participants was female. The classical singers presented more time of singing class than the popular ones. Show hours of 1-2 hours was higher in the number of subjects responding to both groups of singers. Classical singers presented greater perception of vocal symptoms when compared to the popular ones for total and emotional scores of the Brazilian validated version of VoiSS. The popular and classical groups do not make any difference regarding health and vocal hygiene, even though the groups obtained values above the QSHV normality score. There was no correlation between knowledge about vocal health and hygiene and vocal symptoms in singers. Classical singers are more affected by vocal changes, especially women. The singers obtained a good degree of knowledge in vocal hygiene, not differing about the styles. The perception of vocal alteration in popular and classical singers seems to have no relation with the degree of health knowledge and vocal hygiene.

Highlights

Singing is a skill that can be developed through the learning of vocal adjustments that involve organic, technical and psychological factors[1]
The inclusion criteria were: popular and classical singers, aged from 18 to 60 years old, of both sexes, who adhered to the Free and Informed Consent Form (FICF), who completely filled out the clinical and vocal socio-demographic questionnaire, prepared by the authors in order to obtain information such as age, sex, smoking, drinking, singing style, singing lessons, frequency of shows, ENT and/or Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) evaluation
After applying the selection criteria, 186 singers remained in the survey, divided into two groups according to the singing style: Popular Singers Group (PSG) - 104 popular singers, average age of 34.4 years; Classical Singers Group (CSG) - 82 classical singers, with an average age of 34.2 years

Summary

Introduction

Singing is a skill that can be developed through the learning of vocal adjustments that involve organic, technical and psychological factors[1]. These adjustments require the singer to master the singing technique. Such mastery allows him/ her to use his/her vocal instrument to perform the necessary adjustments to each singing style[2]. Incorrect adjustments can lead to the development of changes in vocal quality For professional singers, these changes can impact their quality of life, as these professionals use their voices to work[6]

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