Voice is an essential means of communication. It is the singing voice that is particularly susceptible to voice damage and fatigue as singers belong to a group of occupations with a substantial vocal load. As such they face greater chance of inducing too much strain on their vocal apparatus, which can lead to hoarseness and other voice disorders. Not only can abusive vocal and speech habits affect the quality of voice, but they can also result in inappropriate vocal technique, which is why vocal hygiene, i.e. taking care of one's singing voice, is of utmost importance. What it takes is a lifestyle and behaviour that work in the best interest of one’s voice while, at the same time, improving their mental and physical well-being.
The theoretical part of the present Master’s dissertation provides an overview of vocal anatomy and speech production physiology as well as speech pathology, while placing special emphasis on the risk factors that contribute to the development of voice disorders in singers. The thesis defines the role of a speech and language therapist, who – alongside a phoniatrician and a psychologist – is crucial in voice treatment. Last but not least, the study includes guidelines to improve vocal hygiene in singers, keeping their voice as healthy as possible.
The purpose of the empirical study was to determine the frequency of voice problems among choral singers, the impact of abusive vocal and eating habits on their vocal function as well as their familiarity with the concept of vocal hygiene.
Answering the background questionnaire on the frequency of their vocal problems and the knowledge of vocal hygiene, 71 members of two Slovenian choirs participated in the study.
The results show that 76% of the participants have experienced hoarseness over the last year with more than half of them attributing their vocal problems to other sources, such as being exposed to vocal loading either at home or at work. In such case, 61% of the singers give their vocal folds a rest. By contrast, the participants know very little about how a poor diet and hormonal imbalance may be affecting their voice. Albeit aware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep and the harmfulness of smoking and drinking alcohol, half of them are not familiar with the concept of vocal hygiene, and only a third has attended the lectures on voice care. However, both choirs have equal distribution of knowledge on the risk factors that contribute to voice disorders.
Needless to say, a singer needs to be aware of their vocal, speaking and eating habits so as to act accordingly in case of a vocal load. While voice therapy as the treatment of voice disorders seems all too popular, the knowledge of the harmful effects of vocal strain and its prevention is less so. With this in mind, it is not only on the part of a conductor to introduce the concept of voice care to choral singers, by organizing vocal hygiene workshops, a speech and language therapist could well play a key role in providing valuable information regarding voice disorders prevention.
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