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Vocal quality in university teachers: a pilot study
E D'haeseleer1, S Claeys, F Wuyts
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. Evelien.Dhaeseleer@Ugent.be
B-ENT
|August 13, 2009
Summary
University teachers exhibit good vocal quality, with no significant objective changes after lectures, despite reporting subjective voice issues. This study assessed vocal profiles using multi-parameter evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Occupational Health
- Educational Acoustics
Background:
- University teachers are professional voice users who deliver lectures regularly.
- Assessing vocal quality and the impact of teaching on voice is crucial for this demographic.
- Previous research indicates a high prevalence of voice complaints among educators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vocal quality of university teachers using a comprehensive multi-parameter approach.
- To investigate the immediate effects of a one-and-a-half-hour academic lecture on their voice profiles.
- To correlate subjective and objective voice assessments before and after a teaching session.
Main Methods:
- Employed subjective evaluations including the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and perceptual assessments.
- Utilized objective measures such as aerodynamic and acoustic parameters, and the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI).
- Voice assessments were conducted pre- and post-lecture for 29 university teachers (20 male, 9 female).
Main Results:
- Mean DSI scores were +2.2 (males) and +4.0 (females); mean VHI was 13. Perceptual voice quality was rated as normal.
- A high prevalence of vocal abuse was reported, yet no significant changes in objective vocal parameters were observed post-lecture.
- Perceptual instability decreased post-lecture, though 48% of teachers reported subjective voice changes.
Conclusions:
- University teachers possess good vocal quality and are not significantly handicapped by voice disorders.
- A one-and-a-half-hour lecture did not induce significant objective changes in vocal profiles.
- Despite high voice complaint prevalence, immediate post-lecture voice changes were minimal, with subjective reports differing from objective findings.
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