Voice burden in teachers and non-teachers in a UK population: A questionnaire-based survey.

OBJECTIVE

To characterise the burden of voice disorders in teachers in a UK population, compare it with non-teachers and identify groups of teachers who may be particularly at risk of developing a voice problem.

DESIGN

Questionnaire-based survey of primary and secondary school teachers and non-teachers. Questions consisted of general demographics, VHI-10 and questions relating to voice problems.

METHODS

Distribution of questionnaires to teachers and non-teachers and statistical analysis of the responses.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Teachers and non-teachers in a region of North West England.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of risk factors for voice problems in teachers, compared to non-teachers.

RESULTS

A total of 210 primary and 244 secondary school teachers and 304 non-teachers participated in the questionnaire survey. Response rates were 67.9% from primary schools, 41.2% from secondary schools and 40.0% from the non-teachers. 30.0% of teachers and 9.0% of non-teachers had reported problems with their voice. 12.8% of teachers and 2.0% of non-teachers had missed work due to voice problems. 14.1% of teachers and 5.3% non-teachers had seen a general practitioner for voice-related problems, whilst 7.1% of teachers and 6.3% of non-teachers had been referred to an otolaryngologist or speech therapist for voice problems. Factors related to VHI-10 (P < .05) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Voice disorders are an occupational health problem for teachers, with a significant burden of these disorders in this group of teachers in the UK. We have identified risk factors that could be exploited to identify groups of teachers who would benefit from early intervention.