International Journal of Integrative and Modern Medicine
Voice Quality and Vocal Fatigue Among University Teachers: A Clinical and Acoustic Study
By Muhannd Kadhem Madhlom Al-Dhaleme.
Abstract
Background
There are studies regarding vocal health in school teachers, especially in Iraq, but there are insufficient studies on university staff who usually use various means of communication at all times without assistance.
Aim
To assess voice quality and vocal fatigue of university instructors using the integrated method of self-report, auditory-perceptual, laryngoscopic and acoustic methods, and investigate related job and health aspects.
Methods
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the otolaryngology and voice clinic of Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, Samawa, Iraq, from January to December 2023. One hundred and twenty university teachers and 60 age- and sex-matched non-teaching university employees were evaluated with a structured questionnaire, the Arabic Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), the Reflux Symptom Index, GRBAS perceptual rating, videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic analysis (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio, maximum phonation time and s/z ratio). Acoustic recordings were repeated at the end of a teaching day in the teacher group.