Vocal fatigue and associated factors in university teachers in remote education

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the self-perception of vocal fatigue and associated factors in university professors in remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional, observational, descriptive and analytical study, with a remote approach with university professors in teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. After acceptance, the participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vocal Signs and Symptoms Questionnaire, Vocal Fatigue Index Protocol and Vocal Handicap Index 10. The analysis of the data identified through descriptive and initial statistics, using the given Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Associations between qualitative variables were verified using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The IFV and IDV-10 means were verified with the number of signs and symptoms using the Mann-Whiney test. Results Sample of 91 teachers, mostly female (83.5%), and mean age of 44.0 years. Teachers had an average of 3.8 signs and symptoms and the total core of the IFV indicated the presence of vocal risk, with values considered for dysphonic subjects. Teachers don't want vocals. Conclusion University professors in remote teaching self-assessed being at risk for vocal fatigue. Among the factors associated with IFV, professors who presented more than two vocal signs and symptoms had a greater sensation of vocal fatigue. No self-perception of voice handicap was observed, however, those who had more than two vocal signs and symptoms had worse self-perception of voice handicap.