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Identification of teachers at risk for phonotrauma using ambulatory monitoring of speaking fundamental frequency
Remacle, Angélique; de Chambourcy, Laetitia; Lefèvre, Nathalie
2020In Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Voice Physiology and Biomechanics
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Keywords :
Voice dosimetry; Vocal demand response; Risk factors; Occupational voice
Abstract :
[en] Introduction: Excessive mechanical stress on the vocal folds – including deformation, oscillation, collision and acceleration [1] – can lead to tissue damage, that is, phonotrauma. Among professional voice users, excessive vibration patterns represent major risk factors for voice disorders [2]. This study evaluates several individual factors together to determine whether they can predict teachers’ speaking fundamental frequency [f0] and help to identify those who are most at risk of phonotrauma. Methods:The f0 of 87 teachers (66 women) without voice pathology was assessed every 200 ms during one workweek with the Ambulatory Phonation Monitor (KayPENTAX, Montvale, NJ), using an autocorrelation algorithm. The following individual factors were collected with questionnaires: gender, age, teaching experience, teaching level, tobacco consumption, gastro-esophageal problems, nonoccupational voice activity, voice education (i.e., having received weekly speaking and/or singing training for at least one year), past voice problems, and biopsychosocial impact of voice problems measured using the Voice Handicap Index [VHI [3]]). General linear mixed models were used to determine the effect of individual factors on teachers’ f0 tracked in real-life situations for a total of 431 days (4,479 hours). Results: Speaking f0 depended significantly on gender (F(1, 74) = 132.1, p < .001), teaching level (F(3, 74) = 12.49, p < .001), nonoccupational voice activity (F(1, 74) = 4.34, p = .041) and VHI score (F(1, 74) = 8.95, p = .004). Specifically, f0 was higher in women, in individuals without nonoccupational voice activity, and in individuals with a higher VHI score (increase of 0.7 Hz for each additional point). For females, post hoc comparisons revealed a substantial impact of teaching level: university instructors had deeper voices than kindergarten (p < .001), elementary (p < .001), or secondary teachers (p = .001), and secondary teachers had deeper voices than kindergarten teachers (p = .003). Discussion: The higher-pitched voices of kindergarten and elementary teachers may be due to the Lombard effect, the convergence effect, the characteristics of child-directed speech, and the cognitive and/or emotional load related to occupational stress [4]. On the other hand, lowering the pitch may be a strategy secondary and university teachers use to assert their authority. The lower f0 of teachers who engage in nonprofessional voice activities may suggest acute inflammation or muscle fatigue due to voice overload. Prevention and early detection should be offered primarily to individuals at risk of phonotrauma due to higher f0, namely females, and specifically those teaching at the kindergarten and elementary levels. In addition, self-assessment questionnaires such as the VHI could also help to detect individuals with potentially harmful f0 patterns.
Disciplines :
Otolaryngology
Author, co-author :
Remacle, Angélique  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie des troubles de la voix
de Chambourcy, Laetitia;  Université Catholique de Louvain - UCL > Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science
Lefèvre, Nathalie;  Université Catholique de Louvain - UCL > Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science & Statistical Methodology and Computing Service
Language :
English
Title :
Identification of teachers at risk for phonotrauma using ambulatory monitoring of speaking fundamental frequency
Publication date :
04 December 2020
Event name :
12th International Conference on Voice Physiology and Biomechanics
Event place :
Grenoble, France
Event date :
December 2-4, 2020
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Voice Physiology and Biomechanics
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Available on ORBi :
since 02 December 2020

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