[Analysis of voice disorders among university teachers at Medical University of Białystok].
Voice disorders constitute a serious health problem for teachers. More than 80% of them experience voice disorders and still among those 40% suffer from pathological phoniatric changes confirmed by phoniatric examination. Chronic disorders resulting from vocal abuse and misuse are the most frequent among occupational diseases diagnosed in Poland.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the chronic voice disorders among the teaching community of Medical University of Bialystok and to examine its awareness of voice hygiene and proper vocal techniques.


METHODS
The research was based on a survey of 434 university teachers from Medical University of Bialystok. Results. Increased voice fatigue and voice loss were most often the consequence of prolonged voice use (over 20 years). Occupational voice disorders were more frequent in females, even though they did not ignore initial symptoms and consulted specialists. Disregard for prevention, reluctance to undergo treatment, and negligence of the first symptoms of disease are the most common cause of occupational voice disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Working in a voice-friendly environment, organizing trainings devoted to voice hygiene and vocal techniques are in favor of enhancing the voice function of university teachers.
Kosztyła-Hojna
Bozena
B
Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku, Klinika Otolaryngologii. otol@umwb.edu.pl
Citko
Dorota
D
Milewska
Anna
A
Rogowski
Marek
M
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D005178:Faculty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control