<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Aim. The aim of this paper is to compare the prevalence of voice disorders and the risk factors for them in different occupations with a vocal load in Slovenia. Methods. A meta-analysis of six different Slovenian studies involving teachers, physicians, salespeople, catholic priests, nurses and speech-and-language therapists (SLTs) was performed. In all six studies, similar questions about the prevalence of voice disorders and the causes for them were included. Results. The comparison of the six studies showed that more than 82% of the 2347 included subjects had voice problems at some time during their career. The teachers were the most affected by voice problems. The prevalent cause of voice problems was the vocal load in teachers and salespeople and respiratory-tract infections in all the other occupational groups. When the occupational groups were compared, it was stated that the teachers had more voice problems and showed less care for their voices than the priests. The physicians had more voice problems and showed better consideration of vocal hygiene rules than the SLTs. The majority of all the included subjects did not receive instructions about voice care during education. Conclusions. In order to decrease the prevalence of voice disorders in vocal professionals, a screening program is recommended before the beginning of their studies. Regular courses on voice care and proper vocal technique should be obligatory for all professional voice users during their career. The inclusion of dysphonia in the list of occupational diseases should be considered in Slovenia as it is in some European countries.</abstract>

Aim. The aim of this paper is to compare the prevalence of voice disorders and the risk factors for them in different occupations with a vocal load in Slovenia. Methods. A meta-analysis of six different Slovenian studies involving teachers, physicians, salespeople, catholic priests, nurses and speech-and-language therapists (SLTs) was performed. In all six studies, similar questions about the prevalence of voice disorders and the causes for them were included. Results. The comparison of the six studies showed that more than 82% of the 2347 included subjects had voice problems at some time during their career. The teachers were the most affected by voice problems. The prevalent cause of voice problems was the vocal load in teachers and salespeople and respiratory-tract infections in all the other occupational groups. When the occupational groups were compared, it was stated that the teachers had more voice problems and showed less care for their voices than the priests. The physicians had more voice problems and showed better consideration of vocal hygiene rules than the SLTs. The majority of all the included subjects did not receive instructions about voice care during education. Conclusions. In order to decrease the prevalence of voice disorders in vocal professionals, a screening program is recommended before the beginning of their studies. Regular courses on voice care and proper vocal technique should be obligatory for all professional voice users during their career. The inclusion of dysphonia in the list of occupational diseases should be considered in Slovenia as it is in some European countries.

Voice Disorders in Occupations with Vocal Load in Slovenia / Glasovne Težave V Poklicih Z Glasovno Obremenitvijo V Sloveniji

University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Aim. The aim of this paper is to compare the prevalence of voice disorders and the risk factors for them in different occupations with a vocal load in...

Voice Disorders in Occupations with Vocal Load in Slovenia / Glasovne Težave V Poklicih Z Glasovno Obremenitvijo V Sloveniji

Published Online: Oct 15, 2014

Page range: 304 - 310

Received: May 16, 2014

Accepted: Aug 20, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2014-0033

Keywords
Professional voice users, voice disorders, voice care, vocal load, questionnaires

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Voice Disorders in Occupations with Vocal Load in Slovenia / Glasovne Težave V Poklicih Z Glasovno Obremenitvijo V Sloveniji

Published Online: Oct 15, 2014

Page range: 304 - 310

Received: May 16, 2014

Accepted: Aug 20, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2014-0033

KeywordsProfessional voice users, voice disorders, voice care, vocal load, questionnaires

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Professional voice users, voice disorders, voice care, vocal load, questionnaires