Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2025
08:36
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
11.9K
Vocal Fatigue and Recovery Patterns Among Call Center Operators: A Workday Progression Study
Aishwarya Nallamuthu1, Sahana Rajaram2, Prakash Boominathan3
1Department of Speech Language Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Summary
Call center operators experience vocal fatigue and changes like hoarseness during their workday due to high vocal demand. These voice issues can be identified early to promote healthier vocal practices.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Speech Science
- Communication Disorders
Background:
- Call center operators (CCOs) in India face significant vocal demands.
- High vocal loading poses a risk of voice-related problems for CCOs.
- Understanding workday vocal changes is crucial for CCO well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate vocal changes experienced by CCOs throughout a typical workday.
- To document the effects of sustained vocal use on CCOs' voices.
Main Methods:
- Fifty CCOs from diverse sectors were evaluated.
- Acoustical, perceptual, aerodynamic, and self-perceptual voice measures were employed.
- Measurements were taken pre-shift, mid-workday, and post-workday, plus the following morning.
Main Results:
- Common symptoms included throat dryness and voice breaks.
- Vocal parameters like fundamental frequency (F0) increased, and maximum phonation duration decreased over the workday.
- Perceptual voice quality deteriorated, with evidence of vocal fatigue and subsequent recovery after rest.
Conclusions:
- Subtle vocal changes occur in CCOs due to occupational vocal loading.
- Early identification of voice problems is essential for CCOs.
- Promoting healthy voice practices is recommended for CCOs in naturalistic work settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Fatigue
170
Fatigue occurs when materials rupture under repeated or fluctuating loads, even at stress levels far below their static breaking strength. It typically results in brittle failure, even for ductile materials. It is a critical consideration in designing machines and structural components subjected to repetitive or varying loads. The nature of these loadings can range from fluctuating loads like unbalanced pump impellers causing vibrations to repeatedly bending a thin steel rod wire back and forth...
170
01:17Classification of Illness
7.3K
The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
7.3K
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
1.9K
Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective...
1.9K
01:21Larynx
1.2K
The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
1.2K
01:24Respiratory Capacities
603
Respiratory capacities are crucial indicators of lung function, representing the maximum amount of air an individual's respiratory system can handle during various breathing phases.
One key metric is the Inspiratory Capacity (IC), which represents the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled with full effort. IC is calculated by summing the tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume, typically ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 liters.
The Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) represents the air in the...
One key metric is the Inspiratory Capacity (IC), which represents the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled with full effort. IC is calculated by summing the tidal volume and inspiratory reserve volume, typically ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 liters.
The Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) represents the air in the...
603
01:23Design Example
310
The innovation of touch-tone telephony revolutionized the telecommunications industry by replacing the traditional rotary dial with a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling system. This system uses a matrix-style keypad with buttons arranged in four rows and three columns, creating 12 distinct signals each assigned to a pair of frequencies. Each button press results in a simultaneous generation of two sinusoidal tones – one from a low-frequency group (697 to 941 Hz) and one from a...
310