A Comparative Examination of Voice Disorder Risks of Various Occupations

—Analysis by Subjective and Objective Evaluation—

Abstract

The aim of this study was to derive insights concerning the risk of voice disorders accompanying various occupations. The subjects were elementary school teachers, professional voice users including actors and announcers, and office workers. The evaluation criteria consisted of VHI-10 scores, auditory perceptual rating, maximum phonation time, maximum expiration time, respiratory dissipation coefficient (i.e. maximum expiration time/maximum phonation time), PPQ, APQ, and HNR. The results showed that teachers had a higher level of respiratory dissipation coefficient, while office workers presented higher levels of VHI-10 scores and lower values of acoustic parameters. The professional voice users group had relatively good scores. This study suggested that teachers need more care for their throat and voice, and also require some type of voice training. Moreover, because the scores of office workers were not very good, it may be necessary to consider problems not only about quantity but also about the quality of vocalism.