Sociological Significance of the General Population’s Awareness of Voice Disorders

Abstract

Socialization is a concept that permeates all life stages (childhood, youth and old age). It signifies the internalization of value orientations, norms and symbolic meanings, as well as the acquisition of social and practical skills through social learning and training. The most important element of socialization is speech. The goal of this research was to examine the sociological importance of informing the general population about voice disorders as a prerequisite for the socialization process that is characteristic of a given culture, with a wide possibility of adaptation to new living conditions. The research used the Questionnaire on vocal hygiene taken from the “Voice Quality of Life Indicators”. The results of this research showed that there are differences in the level of information about voice disorders in the general population. Members of the female gender, of an older age, have a more developed awareness of voice disorders and their impact on the quality of life of an individual compared to members of the male gender, of a younger age. I ask questions about the development of awareness about voice disorders in recent years is considered a necessary prerequisite for active and healthy personality development. The contribution of this study is reflected in the provision of information on the development of the general population’s awareness of voice disorders, all with the aim of providing various education programs on this increasingly topical topic in society. In this way, social policy makers and social development practitioners understand the range of relevant factors and possible mutual influences in social development processes in order to improve the quality of life of individuals and society.