Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Targeted Training of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Aged and Parkinsonian Rats
Published on: August 8, 2011
Long-Term Effects of Voice Prevention: Vocal Health of Former University Students After Taking Up the Teaching
1Special Education and Therapy in Language and Communication Disorders, Institute of Special Education, Faculty of Human Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Oswald-Külpe-Weg 84, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.
Objectives:
This study examines the long-term impact of preventive measures during student teacher training on teachers' vocal health and discusses how these effects can be measured and interpreted.
Methods:
Seventy-eight university students received voice prevention measures during student teacher training, completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and partly underwent perceptual, acoustic, and aerodynamic voice assessments (assessment 1). Five to nine years later, as working teachers, they completed an online follow-up survey on their voice, reporting occupational factors, VHI, and the Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale (assessment 2).
Results:
The proportion of teachers with a perceived handicap (VHI ≥ 15) decreased from teacher training (30%) to professional life (23%). A significant association was found between the elevated VHI scores of students (assessment 1) and teachers (assessment 2) (P < 0.001), suggesting that early vocal vulnerability persisted in professional teaching. The mean VTD score in teachers was 15.9 (SD = 11.1), indicating mild discomfort. The frequency of vocal tract discomfort during training correlated with later VHI (P = 0.016) and VTD (P = 0.006) scores and was associated with absenteeism (P = 0.002). Teachers reported various vocal symptoms, most commonly vocal strain (51%). Many reported frequently using preventive and symptom-relieving behaviors, with 73% performing vocal exercises.
Conclusions:
Long-term monitoring of vocal health in prospective teachers provides valuable information for assessing the sustainable impact of preventive measures. The reduced proportion of perceived voice handicap and the continued use of vocal health behaviors suggest that preventive measures during teacher training may have lasting protective effects on teachers' vocal well-being. Subjective tools such as the VTD scale can support early risk identification, and internalization of vocal health behaviors should be considered when evaluating prevention programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Larynx
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,...
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.