The Relationship Between Vocal Fatigue Index and Voice Handicap Index in University Professors With and Without Voice Complaint

Abstract

University professors, just like teachers, are considered as professional voice users, who are subject to voice disorders and complaints due to their field of work. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between vocal fatigue index and voice handicap index in university professors with and without voice complaint. This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study that was conducted on 84 university professors with an average age of 38.27 ± 9.95. University professors were divided into two groups with and without voice complaints based on the opinion of the professors about the existence or absence of voice complaint. Data obtained from this study was analyzed using SPSS 22 software at a significant level of less than 0.05. There was a significant correlation between vocal fatigue index and voice handicap index in university professors (P <0.05). In the university professors without voice complaints, only the third factor of the vocal fatigue index was not significant (P > 0.05). However, in this group, there was a significant correlation between the first and the second factor of vocal fatigue index and voice handicap index (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate the effect of vocal fatigue on the quality of life of university professors. University professors, like teachers, are exposed to voice disorders and, thus, complaints which leave impacts on their career and should be addressed as a group of professional voice users to prevent voice disorder among them.