Voice use among music theory teachers: A voice dosimetry and self-assessment study

[en] Objectives. This study aimed (1) to investigate music theory teachers’ professional and extraprofessional vocal loading and background noise exposure, (2) to determine the correlation between vocal loading and background noise, and (3) to determine the correlation between vocal loading and self-evaluation data. Methods. Using voice dosimetry, 13 music theory teachers were monitored for one workweek. The parameters analyzed were voice sound pressure level (SPL), fundamental frequency (F0), phonation time, vocal loading index (VLI), and noise SPL. Spearman correlation was used to correlate vocal loading parameters (voice SPL, F0, and phonation time) and noise SPL. Each day, the subjects self-assessed their voice using visual analog scales. VLI and selfevaluation data were correlated using Spearman correlation. Results. Vocal loading parameters and noise SPL were significantly higher in the professional than in the extraprofessional environment. Voice SPL, phonation time, and female subjects’ F0 correlated positively with noise SPL. VLI correlated with self-assessed voice quality, vocal fatigue, and amount of singing and speaking voice produced. Conclusions. Teaching music theory is a profession with high vocal demands. More background noise is associated with increased vocal loading and may indirectly increase the risk for voice disorders. Correlations between VLI and self-assessments suggest that these teachers are well aware of their vocal demands and feel their effect on voice quality and vocal fatigue. Visual analog scales seem to represent a useful tool for subjective vocal loading assessment and associated symptoms in these professional voice users.

Disciplines :

Languages & linguistics
Otolaryngology
Education & instruction

Author, co-author :

Schiller, Isabel ; Université de Liège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie des troubles de la voix

Morsomme, Dominique ; Université de Liège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie des troubles de la voix

Remacle, Angélique ; Université de Liège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie des troubles de la voix

Language :

English

Title :

Voice use among music theory teachers: A voice dosimetry and self-assessment study

Publication date :

September 2018

Journal title :

Journal of Voice

ISSN :

0892-1997

eISSN :

1873-4588

Publisher :

Mosby, St Louis, United States - Missouri

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

578-584

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 12 July 2017

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