The efficacy of a voice training program: a case-control study in China

Area of Science:

• Speech and Hearing Sciences
• Educational Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Occupational voice use among teachers can lead to voice disorders.
• Effective voice training programs are needed for Chinese-speaking educators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a voice training program for Chinese-speaking middle school teachers.
• To assess the program's impact on voice handicap index (VHI), maximum phonation time (MPT), and acoustic parameters.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized, case-control study involving three middle schools in Beijing.
• Teachers in the treatment group underwent a 4-week voice training program including vocal hygiene and group training.
• Control group teachers received no intervention.

Main Results:

• The treatment group showed a significant decrease in VHI and a significant increase in MPT post-intervention.
• Noise to Harmonic Ratio (NHR) significantly decreased in the treatment group.
• Jitter and shimmer showed no significant changes in either group.

Conclusions:

• The designed voice training program is effective and suitable for treating voice disorders in Chinese middle school teachers.
• The findings offer reliable evidence supporting the implementation of voice training initiatives in China.
• The program demonstrates potential for improving vocal health in occupational settings.