Actor’s voice: environmental conditions and work organization

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of vocal symptoms is often associated with factors present in the environment or in organization of work of various professionals. Objective: to analyze the environmental conditions and work organization in actors associated with vocal symptoms reference, after the adaptation of an instrument previously used with teachers. Method: actors with a minimum of two years of theatrical experience answered questionnaire regarding aspects of vocal production environment, work organization and functionality. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially (association between variables – Chi-squared-test; p <0.05). Results: 100 actors, 56% male, mean age of 30.8 years (SD = 8.6) and professional experience of 8.9 years (SD = 6.1). 49 subjects sought complementary activity that also demanded vocal demand for not being financially able to keep themselves as an actor. The main vocal symptom was clearing throat (68), followed by dry throat (54) and rough voice (45). Significant statistical association between stressful work and weak voice moral harassment (p = 0.030 and p = 0.048, respectively) was observed. Actors who admit interference of work matters in their health presented this relationship as a protective factor for secretion cough (OR = 0.40, p = 0.044), dry throat (OR = 0.42, p = 0.042) and hoarseness (OR = 0.30, p = 0.011) symptoms. Conclusion: dust and noise were the main environmental factors cited, intense physical effort and stressful rhythm among those related to work organization. The most commonly reported symptoms were throat clearing, dry throat, rough voice and dry cough, with clearing directly associated with noise.