Self-perception of vocal fatigue and insomnia severity in teachers.

PURPOSE: To compare the self-perception of vocal fatigue and insomnia severity between teachers at risk and not at risk for dysphonia and between men and women.

METHOD: The study included 120 female and 80 male teachers from various teaching levels. All participants completed self-assessment questionnaires on their working conditions, the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD), the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Teachers were grouped into those at risk (DG) and not at risk for dysphonia (NDG).

RESULTS

Both DG and NDG reported noise, stress, and dust in the work environment. These factors were more frequent in DG, which also scored above the cutoff for all VFI factors, while NDG scored high in Factor I and the total score but scored below the cutoff in Factor IV. Analysis per gender revealed no difference between DG and NDG among males, except for Factor IV. Among females, Factor IV scores were above the cutoff in DG. ISI indicated all participants had subthreshold insomnia.

CONCLUSION

Teachers often had symptoms of vocal fatigue and subthreshold insomnia regardless of the risk for dysphonia. However, DG teachers had higher scores on both protocols. Also, DG females recovered from vocal fatigue symptoms after vocal rest, unlike their counterparts who were not at risk. Both DG and NDG males and females experienced vocal fatigue and limitations, but only those at risk recovered after vocal rest.