Correlation between Vocal Fatigue and Voice Handicap in Primary School Teachers
D Thejaswi, Adheena Haridas, Jinumol Joseph
Citation Information :
Thejaswi D, Haridas A, Joseph J. Correlation between Vocal Fatigue and Voice Handicap in Primary School Teachers. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2019; 11 (2):30-33.
Introduction: Teachers are occupational voice users reporting vocal fatigue as a frequent vocal discomfort. The vocal fatigue index (VFI) tool is a self-administered questionnaire proposed to measure individuals who have vocal fatigue. While research on another patient-administered questionnaire - the voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), is extensive, experimental works in understanding the correlation between voice handicap and vocal fatigue are unknown. Aims and objectives: This study was undertaken to document vocal fatigue and voice handicap in primary school teachers and also understand the nature of correlation between VFI and VHI-10. Materials and methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey with convenience-type sampling. A total of 110 healthy females within the age of 22–50 years participated. Nonteachers (group I) and teachers (group II) rated the VFI and VHI-10 questionnaire as per its standard guidelines and the data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Results of the study revealed group I to have lower VHI-10 scores compared to group II. However, in the VFI questionnaire, group II scores were higher than group I. Independent t test revealed a statistically significant difference only for VFI at p < 0.05. Karl Pearson's correlation test indicated a strong positive relationship between VHI-10 and VFI. Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that vocal fatigue is observable in primary school teachers compared to nonteachers. An increase in VFI scores predicts teachers who are at high-risk of developing voice handicap.
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