Emirati Teachers' Perceptions of Voice Handicap

The prevalence and risk factors for perceived voice disorders in public school teachers

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors in public kindergarten and elementary school teachers in the Jimei district in Xiamen. We took particular interest in the relationship between work-related factors and voice disorders.

Study Design

A cross-sectional investigation; a General Investigation.

Methods

This study was conducted from September 14 to 18, 2020 at public kindergarten and elementary schools in Xiamen, China. A total of 3140 teachers were separated into a perceived voice disorder group (PVD) and no perceived voice disorder group (NPVD) according to the Voice Handicap Index. The chi-square test was applied to explore the differences between the PVD and NPVD groups. The univariate logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors in terms of unadjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Stepwise logistic regression was then used to ascertain independent determinants.

Results

We found that the prevalence of PVD was 47.52%. The results showed that risk factors of PVD included being female (OR = 1.574), middle-rank technical title and higher (OR = 2.199), continuous lecturing for more than 3 classes (OR = 3.034), lectured more than 10 classes a week (OR = 1.436) and taught art or physical education (OR = 1.742).

Conclusions

Teachers' work-related characteristics were associated with PVD. This proves that a preventive voice care program for teachers, administered by the school or education bureau, is urgent. This could include components such as the reasonable arrangement of timetables and recruitment of a sufficient number of kindergarten and elementary school teachers.Level of evidence: Case-series.

A Comparative Study Utilizing the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) in Teachers and the General Population of Kuwait

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of voice handicap perception of teachers in Kuwait and compare them within the general population by using the validated Arabic version of the voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10). Moreover, we explored variations within the teaching profession itself with regards to specific characteristics.

METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional survey design, in which participants from all governates of Kuwait (1820 teachers and 755 controls) completed the validated Arabic VHI-10, health-related, and demographic questions. The questionnaires were distributed among a random sample of elementary, middle, and high school teachers of both genders, and a random sample of the control population.

RESULTS

The mean VHI-10 of teachers was significantly higher than nonteachers (mean VHI-10 of teachers = 5.7, mean VHI-10 of nonteachers = 3.7, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between teachers and controls in those who scored >11 in the VHI-10 (>11 = 17.6%, 10.2% respectively, P = <0.001). Female teachers scored a higher mean VHI-10 than male teachers (B = 0.66, P < 0.001). There was no difference in the mean VHI-10 among the different teaching class levels. However, elementary school teachers were the most group to exceed the cut-off point (VHI-10 >11) (Odds Ratio = 1.38, P = 0.04). With regards to smoking, we found no difference in the mean VHI-10 and scoring >11 in the questionnaire. Art and science teachers had the highest mean VHI-10 (P = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study revealed a higher perception of voice handicap in teachers than nonteachers. Therefore, emphasis should be on teachers in order to prevent voice damage.

Effects and Changes on Voice After Rhinoplasty: A Long-Term Report

Introduction

Vocal changes after rhinoplasty have been poorly investigated, although this surgical procedure is nowadays one of the most requested. The production of voice largely depends on the anatomy and the size of the pyramid and the nasal cavity. The authors report 51 cases of both closed and open rhinoplasty and propose a 2-year report to analyze potential effective changes on voice.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-one patients were enrolled and evaluated from September of 2012 to January of 2018. All patients were studied before and 2 years after surgery. Vocal changes were assessed with an objective and a subjective evaluation. The first one allowed to perform the measurement of the intensity and frequency of vowel sound ("a") and nasal consonant sounds ("n" and "m"). For the subjective evaluation, our modified version of Voice Handicap Index Score allowed us to evaluate every single characteristic of the personal perception of voice.

Results

The objective evaluation showed an increased frequency of production of the consonant sounds in 62% of cases and an increased frequency of production of the vowel sound in 68% of cases. The subjective evaluation allowed us to notice significant changes after surgery (P = .044). No significant differences were noticed between closed and open approach.

Conclusion

Reduction rhinoplasty technique proved to induce several alterations on vocal pattern. The surgeon should always inform patients about the potential effects on the voice, particularly when such changes may produce influences on the working life.

A study of VHI scores and acoustic features in street vendors as occupational voice users

PURPOSE

to investigate acoustic features of phonation and perception of voice handicap in street vendors.

METHODS

Eighty-eight participants (44 street vendors, 44 controls) were recruited. The mean age of the group was 38.9±16.0 years (range: 20-78 years). Scores of the Arabic version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-Arab) were used for analysis. Acoustic measures of fundamental frequency (F₀), jitter, shimmer, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Analysis showed a significant difference between street vendors and controls in the total score of the VHI-Arab (p<0.001) as well as scores of all three VHI-Arab subsections: functional (p<0.001), physical (p<0.001), and emotional (p=0.025). Weak correlations were found among all of the VHI scores and acoustic measures (-0.219≤ r≤0.355), except for SNR where a moderate negative correlations were found (r=-0.555; -0.4) between the VHI (physical and total) scores and SNR values. Significant differences also were found in F₀, jitter, and SNR among specific subgroups of street vendors when stratified by weekly hours worked (p<0.05), and in jitter (p=0.39) when stratified by educational level.

CONCLUSIONS

Perception of voice handicap and a possible effect on vocal quality in street vendors were noted. The effect of factors, namely work hours and educational level, on voice quality should be further studied.