Retention of Vocal Hygiene Information Conveyed Through Two Modes in Teachers: A Comparative Study

Healthy vocal practices could aid the longevity of voice among professional voice users, specifically teachers. It is important to ensure that vocal hygiene information provided to teachers is retained, in order to preserve their vocal health. The present study aimed to compare retention of two different modes of vocal hygiene education (VHE) in teachers.

A mixed factorial design was used. In total, 32 teachers received VHE through a written mode (VHEW) and 26 received it through an audio mode (VHEA). A questionnaire to test knowledge about vocal hygiene from a previous study by Raheja and Kelkar was administered after exposure to VHE, and feedback was given about incorrect answers. The questionnaire was readministered after 1 month to check retention of vocal hygiene information. A Vocal Hygiene Adherence Scale (VHAS) was constructed and administered post 1 month as well. Differences in scores immediately after and 1 month after the VHE, as well as adherence to healthy vocal behaviors, were compared across the two modes.

The results revealed that retention of vocal hygiene information was better through the written mode compared with audio mode (P = 0.042). Overall, adherence to vocal hygiene was low irrespective of the mode of delivery of the VHE. However, analysis of responses to individual items revealed that some healthy vocal behaviors were adhered to better than others.

A written mode of education is an effective way of ensuring retention of vocal hygiene practices in teachers. The findings have implications in dissemination of vocal hygiene information through the written mode to areas of India that are not easy to reach for in-person VHE. Low adherence to vocal hygiene despite good retention is a problem that needs to be addressed in order to facilitate vocal health for the population of teachers.