title: Personal and Professional Characteristics of Music Educators: One Size Does Not Fit All.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of voice disorders among various educator groups is well known, and voice disorders among music educators are higher than the general classroom educators. Music educators vary with respect to behavioral and personality factors, personal characteristics, type of music taught, job-specific environment, and governmental professional expectations. This study aims to identify risk factors for voice disorders in a heterogeneous population of music educators.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was conducted with 213 respondents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey questions addressed demographics, level of education, years of music teaching experience, specialty training, primary teaching assignments and instrument, vocal health behaviors, and diagnoses of voice disorders. Summary statistics and group comparisons are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those whose primary instrument was voice reported a greater frequency of voice disorders. Female and older music educators also had a higher prevalence of voice disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Music educators are a heterogeneous group of individuals who require more careful consideration in the prevention and treatment of occupational voice problems.
authors.affiliation: School of Music, Northern Illinois University, 1425 Lincoln Avenue, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Electronic address: mdoherty@niu.edu.
authors.forename: Mary Lynn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, Northern Illinois University, 1425 Lincoln Avenue, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Mersbergen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000070260:Teacher Training; D013663:Teaching; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Instrumentalists; Music educators; Singers; Vocal health; Voice disorders