Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge of preachers about aspects of vocal health and hygiene and evaluate talkativeness and vocal loudness self-perceived during labor and extra-labor situations aiming to understand the possibility of vocal risk in these professionals. Methods Fifty male preachers aged 22 to 73 years were evaluated. They responded to two self-assessment questionnaires on vocal health and hygiene and talkativeness and vocal loudness. The results were submitted to statistical analysis. Results The preachers presented satisfactory scores in the Vocal Health and Hygiene Questionnaire; however, their scores in the Scale of Vocal Loudness and Talkativeness were lower in the labor situation compared with the extra-labor situations. The variables length of professional experience as a preacher and extra-labor talkativeness and vocal loudness were also associated with knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. Conclusion Preachers show good knowledge about vocal health and hygiene but are at high risk of vocal disorders due to excessive use of talkativeness and vocal loudness in the work environment.
Highlights
The human voice is a powerful communication resource, and its quality can influence listeners positively or negatively
The specific scientific literature reports that preachers are voice professionals who present high occurrence of vocal disorders associated with poor information received about voice care[4]
The purpose of the study is to investigate the knowledge of preachers about aspects of vocal health and hygiene and assess talkativeness and vocal loudness self-reported during labor and extra-labor situations aiming to understand the possibility of vocal risk in these professionals
Summary
The human voice is a powerful communication resource, and its quality can influence listeners positively or negatively. To persuade the interlocutor, some occupations demand a differentiated use of the voice in order to communicate with a specific audience, and its performance can be negatively influenced by loss of quality and vocal resistance[1,2]. This occurs with the so-called voice professionals, e.g., journalists, voice actors, preachers, telemarketers, etc.[1,2,3]. The high vocal demand observed in preachers may put them at risk of developing voice impairments, considering this risk as the possibility of individuals experiencing an undesired event that is influenced by external or innate factors[6]. Vocal risk would be the possibility of developing a voice impairment due to environmental noise, smoking, pollution, air conditioning, vocal abuse, pneumophonic incoordination, hearing loss, etc.[7,8,9]
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