“EFFECTS OF MISUSE OF VOICE IN SLP PROFESSIONALS”

Abstract

Background: As a professional voice user, it is essential that a speech-language pathologist’s (SLP) vocal effectiveness remains consistent throughout the day. Many factors may contribute to affect vocal effectiveness, including prolonged voice use, vocally abusive behaviors, consistent shifts in pitch and loudness, poor vocal hygiene, and environmental factors.

Objectives: To determine the effect of service delivery on the perceptual features of voice on SLPs.

Method: A quasi-experimental, survey research was used in which a survey questionnaire was designed and distributed among the SLPs. Participants included third and final year students at the Speech-Language Pathology program along with graduate Speech-Language Pathologists from the College of Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences - Ziauddin University (CSLHS - ZU) Karachi- Pakistan. Data was gathered through Google Forms and was summarized using a bar graph. The questions were related to their occupational voice usage along with their social activities and the remedies they do for their voice.

Results: Survey analysis showed a significant change in perceptual voice quality being observed by the SLPs. These changes are due to inconsistent shifts in pitch and loudness along with poor vocal hygiene. 

Conclusion: Significant changes in perceptual features were observed by the SLPs. Guidelines were also provided to SLPs to maintain optimal vocal effectiveness.