Self-perception, care and the perspectives of professional use of the voice by the academicians in Pedagogy

Abstract

Researches with future professionals to evidence how they perceive and take care of the voice generate important information for the professional of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences to predict risks and to propose phonoaudiological actions that promote health. Sixty eight fourth-year graduate students of Pedagogy from a countryside university in the state of São Paulo who participated on the research filled in a questionnaire with personal and work data, as well as the self-perception, care and the perspectives of professional use of the voice by the academicians in Pedagogy. The results showed predominance of the female sex, mean age of 25.3 and that the students already worked, especially with Education. The positive classification of the own voice was demonstrated by 70.1% of the graduate students and 76.4% of them recognized it as an important instrument of work. As vocal characteristics necessary for a teacher, the individuals mentioned normality and clarity, flexibility, affectionateness and authority. 67.6% of the graduate students noticed vocal changes as they started teaching. It is concluded that the students showed knowledge about their own voices, as well as the factors that may harm or benefit them, but this is not sufficient to face the adversities of the work and the occurrence of vocal disturbances, requiring phonoaudiological assistance.