Evaluation of the knowledge level of academicians working at universities about vocal fatigue and vocal hygiene
Çiğdem Eryılmaz Canlı1, Mustafa Çelik2, Seda Keten3, Fadime Aybüke Kılıç4
1Yüksek İhtisas Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Dil ve Konuşma Terapisi Bölümü, Ankara, Türkiye
2İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Odyoloji Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye
3İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Dil ve Konuşma Terapisi Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye
4İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi, Sağlık Meslek Yüksekokulu, Odyometri Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye
Keywords: Academics, awareness, professor, vocal fatigue, vocal hygiene.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the vocal fatigue and vocal hygiene knowledge levels of academics working at universities.
METHODS: The study included 104 participants (70 females, 34 males; mean age: 38.2±9.6 years; range, 21 to 73 years) who worked as academics at universities. The participants were asked to fill out the participant demographic data form, Turkish version of the Voice Fatigue Scale, and Voice Hygiene Awareness Knowledge Level Form.
RESULTS: In terms of physical discomfort, it was found that the levels of physical discomfort were higher in those who were lecturers (9.11±5.18) compared to research assistants (4.30±2.95), associate professors (4.30±3.74), and professors (4.90±3.01). When the relationship between the scores the participants received from the scales was evaluated, it was found that the dimensions of fatigue and avoidance and physical discomfort had a negative and significant relationship with vocal hygiene (p<0.05), while there was no significant relationship between the dimension of rest and recovery and vocal hygiene (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study showed that vocal fatigue is high among academics working at universities, but their vocal hygiene awareness levels are low.