The Effect of Upper Airway Ailments on Teachers’ Experience of Vocal Fatigue

Abstract

Teachers have been found to have a higher than normal risk to develop voice disorders. One common symptom of voice problems among teachers is the report and occurrence of vocal fatigue, often associated with different individual, physical, environmental, and professional factors. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the potential effect of sinus infections, laryngitis, colds, seasonal allergies, and reflux on reported vocal fatigue, as quantified by the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI). An exploratory cross-sectional design was implemented via an online survey sent by email to teachers of kindergarten through 12th-grade in 31 states throughout the USA. The main result of this study was that teachers with self-reported reflux and seasonal allergies had statistically significant higher scores on VFI Factor 1 (performance), VFI Factor 2 (pain), and VFI Factor 3 (recovery) when compared to those without self-reported reflux and seasonal allergies. It may be likely that an individuals' change in reported vocal fatigue over time may be also associated with health-related factors, such as reflux and seasonal allergies rather than just changes in voice production. These associated factors should be considered and potentially controlled for in future research and clinical practice surrounding teachers' experience of vocal fatigue.