“Barnabé and his adventure” A vocal health education project in childhood dysphonia

Abstract

Vocal nodules, etiologically associated to vocal abuse and misuse, are one of the major factors for chronic dysphonia in childhood, in both genders. Childhood dysphonia may influence the effectiveness of dysphonic child’s social relationships, and to lead to stigmatization and embarrassment by their peers. The developed health education instrument principally aims to aware dysphonic children to a correct use of their voice, decreasing biopsychosocial impact of this vocal disturbance. This instrument firstly aimed to children of both genders, in ages between seven and nine years old, and simultaneously to their parents and educators, consists in a child’s literature book which addresses the problem of voice and child’s nodular pathology, and it was made in two different formats: printed in A5 format and in digital format with audio narration included. This instrument, ideal for the target population, is a great vehicle to raise awareness of the importance of voice and promoting salutogenic vocal habits, so it can be used in various contexts of the child’s life (therapeutical, familiar and educational).