The Professional Voice and Airline Flight

Abstract

As the world shrinks and demands for quality performers precipitously increase around the globe, travel becomes an important part of the professional's life. The professional voice user may encounter many circumstances and situations over which he has little control and which may subject him to potential vocal irritation or injury. Airline travel is an aspect that, by and large, is uncontrollable but absolutely necessary for professional survival, yet it may have the potential for harm. The majority of airline traffic is carried by wide-bodied aircraft, mainly the Boeing 747 and 767, the Lockheed L1011, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and the European Airbus. Similar but smaller aircraft include the Boeing 707, 727, and 737 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-8 and DC-9. Basically, these aircraft appear to exhibit relatively similar in-flight environments, including ambient noise level, cabin temperature, pressurization, humidity, and ozone. Each of these factors will be discussed to clarify aspects of flight which have been taken for granted, about which there have been misconceptions, or which have not been sufficiently considered. As otolaryngologists it is incumbent on us to be familiar with the consequences of flight for those patients with actual or potential voice problems. A voice lost to professional endeavor may be more emotionally devastating than an ear or sinus impairment. Careful briefing of the patient who is a professional voice user has not been standard practice prior to airline flight but certainly should be strongly considered as a protective measure.