Vocal Hygiene for Reducing Symptoms of Voice Disorders and Improving Voice Quality.

PURPOSE: Voice acts as a tool of trade among professionals. Consequently, people in such professions are more likely to experience vocal problems due to their frequent use of voice. Early intervention and preventative care can help patients avoid developing more serious vocal pathologies. The study aimed to provide vocal hygiene training (VHT) and determine its impact on reducing voice-related problems and improving voice quality among professionals in Pakistan.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among teachers, lawyers, and telemarketers who screened positive on Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and were divided into two groups: experimental and control, each having 30 participants from a specific profession. Literature-based VHT designed to improve the physical, emotional, and functional aspects of voice was provided to each of the three experimental groups. The post-assessment was conducted after a total of four training sessions, 20-35 minutes each, provided fortnightly.

RESULTS

A significant decline in VHI scores, ie, 76.60 to 48.27 among teachers, 64.54 to 38.20 among lawyers, and 57.27 to 32.77 among telemarketers, has depicted a positive impact of VHT on voice problems.

CONCLUSION

The findings strongly suggest that VHT had a significant impact on improving the quality of voice. Such techniques are suggested for embedding in the daily routine of professionals.