Vocal symptoms, quantity of speech degree and loudness of voice in teachers

Abstract

Objective: Characterize and compare the self-assessed amount of speech and voice loudness, professional and non-professional, and correlate with the symptoms of vocal teachers. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 114 teachers, aged between 20 and 66 years, mean 37,76 years, with 102 females and 12 males. All teachers were asked to fill out the Symptom Scale Self-Assessment and Vocals Grade Quantity Discounts Speech and Voice protocols. The variables were analyzed statistically using the Pearson correlation test and ANOVA, with a significance level of 5%. Results: the average degree of the amount of speech and the degree of voice volume were higher in the employment situation, with a significant difference; positive correlation between degree of amount of speech and the degree of voice volume in employment status, and domain scores of vocal symptoms. Conclusions: it was found that teachers need to increase their vocal demands as well as the volume of voice on the job, and that these aspects influence negatively vocal symptoms