ABSTRACT
Purpose
To identify whether there is a correlation between the Screening Index for Voice Disorder and working conditions of public and private school teachers, and compare them with teachers from both groups.
Methods
183 teachers participated in the study, 122 from public schools and 61 from a private school. They responded to the questionnaire Teacher’s Vocal Production Condition, which consists of 81 questions. However, only the questions related to personal information, functional situation, and vocal and working conditions were analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.
Results
In terms of voice conditions, most public school teachers reported voice complaints. The Screening Index for Voice Disorder showed more voice symptoms of public school teachers than of private school teachers. Furthermore, the public school teachers reported worse working conditions than the private school teachers.
Conclusion
There is a negative correlation between the Screening Index for Voice Disorder and the working conditions of the public and private school teachers. Comparing with the private school teachers, the public school teachers reported worse working conditions, more prevalence of voice disorders and higher scores in the Screening Index for Voice Disorder.
Keywords:
Language and hearing sciences; Voice; Noise; Faculty; Voice disorders; Working conditions