Prevalence of Vocal Fold Pathologies Among First-Year Singing Students Across Genres

Area of Science:

• Vocal fold pathology research
• Singing voice science
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Vocal fold pathologies can impact singers' careers.
• Different singing genres may pose unique risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare vocal fold pathology prevalence in first-year classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) students.
• To identify potential risk factors associated with singing genres.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 57 first-year singing students.
• Videostroboscopic examinations rated by blinded experts to identify vocal fold abnormalities.
• Statistical analysis of pathology prevalence, interrater/intrarater reliability, and voice use/hygiene.

Main Results:

• 0% of classical singers, 40% of musical theatre singers, and 17% of CCM singers presented with vocal fold pathology.
• Moderate interrater reliability (0.522) and varying intrarater reliability were observed.
• Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 scores differed between CCM and classical singers; no significant differences in voice use or hygiene.

Conclusions:

• Classical singing students exhibited no vocal fold pathologies, unlike musical theatre and CCM students.
• Genre-specific voice use, hygiene, and phonatory characteristics may be risk factors for vocal pathology development.