Voice and Lifestyle Behaviors of Student Singers: Impact of History Gathering Method on Self-Reported Data

Abstract

This study described voice use and lifestyle information about student singers with a focus on describing differences in self-reported information at study intake compared to data from 21 consecutive days of a voice Log. Twenty-seven student singers estimated voice and lifestyle behaviors at study initiation including daily speaking time, singing/performance time, vocal warm-up, and cool-down minutes; fluid intake; perceived effort when talking, and when singing, among other items. These same parameters were tracked for 21 consecutive days in a voice log kept by the singer at home. Study intake data was compared to the median estimates from the 21-day voice log on each variable using nonparametric statistics. Student singers reported warming up the voice regularly at study intake (100%), but several logged ≥ 7 days out of 21 without warming up even though all days had singing minutes. Less than half reported voice cool downs at intake, and even fewer logged minutes of cool down in the daily tracking. High occupational voice demands not involving singing were reported by 37%. Large percentages of students reported frustration (63%), worry/anxiety (41%), and depression (26%) regarding their voice in the prior 2 weeks. Estimates at study intake statistically overestimated daily speaking minutes, effort during singing and number of nights eating within 2 hours of sleep compared to the 3-week log. Student singers reported several voice use and behavior items that could impact vocal health. Additionally, how the information was obtained (intake estimate vs. daily log) did alter what was reported for some parameters.