Archive

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Med. Pr. 2000;51(6)

Evaluation of the vocal organ in students of the college of teaching

Ocena stanu narządu głosu u studentów szkoły pedagogicznej

M. śliwińska-Kowalska, L. Fiszer, E. Niebudek-Bogusz, P. Kotyło, A. Rządzińska

Abstract

Vocal disorders are very common occupation-related disease in teachers. Their remarkable incidence might be associated with inappropriate techniques of speech and poor vocal hygiene. The aim of this study was to assess the function of vocal organ including voice emission technique in persons starting their teaching occupation. The study group included 66 female students at Teaching College. Their were thoroughly interviewed and subjected to laryngological, phoniatric and videostroboscopic examinations. All subjects reported subjective symptoms after vocal effort. Hoarseness and throat dryness were the most common. In the majority of students functional vocal disorders were observed. In 30% of them insufficiency of glottis and in four (6.1%) studentssoft vocal nodules were found. Signs and symptoms of vocal diseases were mor frequent in a subgroup of students exposed to increased vocal effort during their professional education. The results indicate that young teachers are not sufficiently preparedfor increased vocal strain, apparently associated with their profession. It is indeed necessary to introduce preventive programs including special training of appropriate speech technique, into the curricula of schools for teachers.