Joseph Bennet Elsa, Joseph Ashna Mariya, Jacob Theres Mariya
Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
J Voice. 2020 Jul;34(4):647.e1-647.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2018.11.015. Epub 2019 Jan 5.
Speech-Language Pathologists can be categorized as Level II professional voice users who play the roles of voice therapist or vocal coach to treat voice problems. SLPs may be at the risk of experiencing vocal fatigue due to vocal loading and other contributing factors. The present study was undertaken to find the percentage of SLPs reporting vocal fatigue, the probable factors resulting in vocal fatigue, the measures that are taken to avoid/reduce the occurrence of vocal fatigue, its effect on their professional and personal life and the measures taken to tackle it.
The results of this study are based on data collected from 142 SLPs and 50 controls using a questionnaire. 71.13% SLPs reported that they experience vocal fatigue. Some of the contributing factors that are mainly reported are long durations of voice use, voice use for recreational purposes, speaking loudly, frequent throat clearing, lack of adequate hydration and working in noisy or air-conditioned environments. The major symptoms reported were dryness in throat, tightness in neck and shoulder, choking sensation, effortful speech and pain in the throat. 59% SLPs reported that vocal fatigue affected their professional life while 44% SLPs reported that it affects their personal life also to varying degrees. Measures taken to avoid/ reduce the occurrence of vocal fatigue included vocal warm up, break in between sessions, and play activities. Only a few SLPs took intervention measures like ENT consultation, voice therapy, and home remedies.
SLPs are inevitably at high risk of experiencing vocal fatigue which, if left untreated, will lead to organic voice problems. However, many young SLPs who experience vocal fatigue reported vocal abuse, do not follow vocal hygiene program and do not follow evidence-based preventive or intervention practices to treat vocal fatigue.
言语语言病理学家可归类为二级专业嗓音使用者，他们扮演嗓音治疗师或声乐教练的角色来治疗嗓音问题。由于嗓音负荷及其他相关因素，言语语言病理学家可能面临嗓音疲劳的风险。本研究旨在找出报告有嗓音疲劳的言语语言病理学家的比例、导致嗓音疲劳的可能因素、为避免/减少嗓音疲劳发生所采取的措施、其对他们职业和个人生活的影响以及为应对嗓音疲劳所采取的措施。
本研究结果基于通过问卷调查从142名言语语言病理学家和50名对照者收集的数据。71.13%的言语语言病理学家报告称他们经历过嗓音疲劳。主要报告的一些相关因素包括长时间使用嗓音、为娱乐目的使用嗓音、大声说话、频繁清嗓、水分摄入不足以及在嘈杂或有空调的环境中工作。报告的主要症状有喉咙干燥、颈部和肩部紧绷、哽咽感、费力发声和喉咙疼痛。59%的言语语言病理学家报告称嗓音疲劳影响了他们的职业生活，而44%的言语语言病理学家报告称它也不同程度地影响了他们的个人生活。为避免/减少嗓音疲劳发生所采取的措施包括嗓音热身、课间休息和进行娱乐活动。只有少数言语语言病理学家采取了诸如耳鼻喉科会诊、嗓音治疗和家庭疗法等干预措施。
言语语言病理学家不可避免地面临着较高的嗓音疲劳风险，如果不加以治疗，将导致器质性嗓音问题。然而，许多经历嗓音疲劳的年轻言语语言病理学家存在嗓音滥用情况，不遵循嗓音卫生计划，也不遵循基于证据的预防或干预措施来治疗嗓音疲劳。
