Voice disorders in teachers. The role of family physicians

OBJECTIVE: To look at the prevalence and impact of voice problems on teachers and assessing the teachers knowledge on vocal hygiene and habits, as well as which parameters mostly triggered the seeking of medical attention and how family doctors could intervene in this spectrum.

METHODS: A survey that consists of 16 questions was used to look at the prevalence and impact of voice problems on teachers and to identify the associated risk factors at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, during the year 2005.

RESULTS: A considerable proportion (46%) perceived their voice as fair or worse, and 79% had never consulted a throat specialist. Voice disorders affected most of teachers particularly on their job. The mean number of vocal habits per person was estimated at 2.4 with smoking being the most common (38.7%). Two thirds of teachers were unaware of more than half the factors that can negatively affect their voice. Symptoms exceeding 6 months significantly increased the probability of consulting a physician by 2.5 folds.

CONCLUSION: Family physicians can reduce the prevalence of vocal dysfunction in teachers through education and by pointing the various symptoms necessitating a specialist's early consultation especially when history of smoking is present.