Vocal symptoms and allergy--a pilot study.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common among university students. Inhalant allergies have been considered to be a risk factor contributing to voice disorders. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if students with confirmed respiratory allergies have frequently occurring vocal symptoms. A questionnaire concerning the prevalence of vocal symptoms was distributed to 49 students attending a 3-year allergen immunotherapy program and to 54 students without known allergy. The results indicated that subjects with allergy report significantly more vocal symptoms than subjects without allergy. Allergy should be considered as an underlying factor for vocal symptoms, especially for persons who work in or study for vocally demanding occupations.
Simberg
Susanna
S
Abo Akademi University, Logopedics, Abo, Finland. susanna.simberg@abo.fi
Sala
Eeva
E
Tuomainen
Jyrki
J
Rönnemaa
Anna-Maija
AM
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014831:Voice; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult