Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica

Original Paper

Subjective Evaluation of Voice and Working Conditions and Phoniatric Examination in Kindergarten Teachers

Kankare E.a · Geneid A.b, c · Laukkanen A.-M.a · Vilkman E.b

Author affiliations

aSpeech and Voice Research Laboratory, School of Education, University of Tampere, Tampere, and bDepartment of Otolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; cDepartment of Otolaryngology, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt

Keywords: Self-evaluationVoice symptomsVoice ergonomicsPhoniatric examination

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Folia Phoniatr Logop 2012;64:12–19
https://doi.org/10.1159/000328643

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Published online: July 06, 2011
Issue release date: December 2011

Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 4

ISSN: 1021-7762 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9972 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/FPL

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluated the prevalence of voice problems in kindergarten teachers and investigated some background factors affecting vocal health. Methods: One hundred and nineteen female kindergarten teachers volunteered by responding to an Internet questionnaire on voice habits, voice symptoms, and the amount of negative impact various working conditions may have on their voices. Phoniatric examination was carried out with a rigid laryngoscope. Results: Of the subjects, 71.5% reported frequent strain on the voice (monthly or more often), and 56.3% reported hoarseness without infection. Eighty-six percent reported that when their voice got tired during the working day it recovered quite well, well or remarkably well by the next day. Noise at work was considered most detrimental to the voice. Clear organic findings were observed in 10.9% of the cases and did not correlate with subjective voice symptoms. Conclusions: The results confirmed earlier findings that a remarkable number of kindergarten teachers suffer from voice problems and consider noise in the environment especially to be harmful to their voices. However, the majority reported recovering well from vocal symptoms. Further studies are needed on individual speech habits, working day-related voice evaluation, recovery time and work-environmental factors. A follow-up is warranted to identify the main factors leading to voice problems.

© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel



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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Published online: July 06, 2011
Issue release date: December 2011

Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 4

ISSN: 1021-7762 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9972 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/FPL

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2012, Vol.64, No. 1

December 2011

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