title: Frequency and effects of teachers' voice problems.
abstract: This study compared the frequency and effects of voice symptoms in teachers to a group of individuals employed in other occupations. Teachers were more likely to report having a voice problem (15 vs. 6%), having 10 specific voice symptoms, and having 5 symptoms of physical discomfort. They averaged almost 2 symptoms compared with none for nonteachers. Likewise, teachers were more likely to perceive that a voice problem would adversely affect their future career options, had done so in the past, and was limiting their current job performance. Over 20% of teachers but none of the nonteachers had missed any days of work due to a voice problem. These findings suggest that teaching is a high-risk occupation for voice disorders and that this health problem may have significant work-related and economic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dove
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014833:Voice Quality