An Investigation into the Prevalence of Voice Strain in Chinese University Teachers

Abstract

Vocal disorders are a very common occupation-related disease in teachers, though it has never been given enough attention in China. As a result, the occupational health care of professional voice users is surprisingly, undeveloped compared to the attention given to occupational hearing disorders or many other occupational symptoms. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of voice problems in the general population of Chinese university teachers, and explore whether their voice problems affected their daily life, their social life and their work. A voice strain and voice handicap index questionnaire was administered to university instructors of English (N = 156) in six Chinese universities. Results indicated that voice strain is prevalent among Chinese university instructors. The respondents' self-perceptions revealed that voice strain was significantly correlated with their job and their daily activities.