[Results of videostroboscopic examinations of vocally healthy candidates for voice intensive professions].

BACKGROUND

Questions regarding the vocal aptitude for voice professions are common in the daily phoniatrical and otorhinolaryngological practice. According to the classification by Koufman, Isaccson and Stemple professions can be classified into four groups. While it is common to perform laryngeal investigations and analyses of the vocal efficacy for candidates of elite vocal performers (level 1), i. e. singers and actors, those examinations are usually not executed for voice and speaking intensive professions (level 2) like teachers, as there is no legal base. This group is, however, predisposed with regard to professional voice disorders.

METHODS

Aim of the study was therefore to determine the frequency of laryngeal findings in a group of previously asymptomatic subjects using videostroboscopic examinations and to assess the risk concerning the emergence of professional voice disorders. 545 candidates for voice intensive professions have been examined with regard to the existence of any organic or secondary organic alterations on the vocal folds.

RESULTS

One third of the subjects showed benign laryngeal alterations, which were not consequentially associated with auditive alterations of the voice sound and/or a consciousness of a voice disorder. Apart from 33 organic laryngeal alterations 129 phonation associated alterations of the vocal fold were determined.

CONCLUSIONS

These subjects should especially in cases of excessive vocal demand and additional the efficacy reducing factors be regarded as a high risk group with regard to the emergence of professional voice disorders. The results underline the necessity to require vocal examinations and vocal assessment analyses for candidates of voice intensive professions in order to avoid professional voice disorders.