Survey on elite vocal performers' awareness of therapies for voice problems: -Report of questionnaire survey

Abstract

Elite vocal performers (EVPs) are professional performers who use their voice to give artistic expression: for example, professional singers and theater actors. The therapies that EVPs require to improve their voice quality are extremely delicate. In the present study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of EVPs to understand their awareness of treatments provided by otolaryngologists and voice doctors and their own therapy requirements to treat their voice problems. We prepared a questionnaire consisting of 28 multi-choice questions and 3 open-ended questions and conducted an anonymous survey using it. We obtained responses from 92 EVPs (41 men and 51 women). The questionnaire included questions about "voice symptoms," "otolaryngological examination and vocal coaching," "silence cure," "steroid therapy," "solutions for voice problems," "therapy requirements," etc. With 64% of the respondents, silence cure had been prescribed. We think it is important to give these patients instruction on the appropriate duration of the therapy. Some 68% of the respondents had received steroid therapy. About half of them desired medication only in emergency situations, and the other half avoided medication if at all possible.