Prevalence, Risk factors and Impact of Voice Disorders among Primary School Teachers in Cairo

Abstract

eachers are considered as the biggest group of occupational voice users as they rely greatly on their voice in their daily teaching activities. They have overwhelming vocally demanding requests as they are teaching regularly for long hours in environments with acoustically difficult characteristics in addition to only having brief periods for voice rest. That's why teachers were found to have a greater risk to develop voice disorders in comparison to the other occupations and to the general population. Voice disorders are thus recognized as one of the most important occupational hazards influencing them. The impact of permanent dysphonia can be devastating on their professional performance as it may result in sickness absenteeism and it may even result in ending of their professional career. Dysphonic voice also lessens the quality of the educational process as it affects the students' understanding. In addition, financial, emotional, and social aspects are also compromised. It also significantly impairs their communicative ability with its drawbacks on their daily activities and their social life. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of voice disorders among primary school teachers in Cairo governorate, to identify potential risk factors associated with