The effect of voice hygiene advices on Imams\u2019 voice during Ramadan

Abstract

BackgroundProfessional voice users are a group of people using their voice for earning of their income. One such important profession is that of the Imams of mosques who excessively recite Quran, especially during Ramadan. This excessive reciting during Ramadan puts them in a great risk for vocal problems. The Imams need an assessment and management for their voice to protect them from the expected voice disorders.AimThe aim of this study was to assess the voice of Imams before and after Ramadan and to study the effect of following the voice hygiene advices during Ramadan on their voice.Study designThis was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the voice of Imams before and after Ramadan.Patients and methodsThe study included 34 Imams. They were divided into two groups: the first group included 17 Imams who received voice hygiene advices before Ramadan, and the second group included 17 Imams who did not receive voice hygiene advices (the control group). All candidates were subjected to two types of assessment: examination using the VHI (the Arabic modification of voice handicapped index) and multidimensional voice program.ResultsThe group that received voice hygiene advices showed better scores of multidimensional voice program and VHI compared with the control group voice parameters, and some parameters were significantly better or toward normal in post-Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan assessment.Conclusion and recommendationVoice hygiene advices should be given to a wide scale of Imams as a protective tool for their voices. Voice hygiene advices should be included in any program of voice therapy.