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Singing Style, Vocal Habits, and General Health of Professional Singers

Abstract

Introduction

For the singer, the voice is a medium used to express feelings that capture the listener. Every singing style has specific demands, and a vocal alteration may prevent the singer from meeting them.

Objective

To compare the singing style, the vocal habits, and the general health data of professional singers.

Methods

Cross-sectional, quantitative and retrospective study of a survey database. Data on the singing style, the vocal habits, and the health conditions and history of 57 professional singers, 31 female singers and 26 male singers, aged from 19 to 57 years old (average of 32 years old), from a mid-sized town were analyzed

Results

Therewas a prevalence of female (54 ± 2%) popular singers (91 ± 2%), in the adult age (51 ± 2%), nonsmokers (89 ± 2%), nonusers of alcohol (77 ± 2%), with respiratory problems (53 ± 2%), mainly rhinitis (23 ± 2%), and without other health problems. There was a significant use of alcohol in males (p = 0.010); among the alcohol users, there was a significant presence of respiratory problems (p = 0.046), of pharyngitis/tonsillitis (p = 0.003), and of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) (p = 0.043); there was a significant presence of GER in subjects reporting endocrine problems (p = 0.023), of gastritis (p = 0.023), and of pharyngitis/tonsillitis (p = 0.030).

Conclusion

There was a predominance of adult professional popular female singers, with complaints of respiratory issues (with a higher prevalence of rhinitis), without other general health issues, of nonsmokers, and of nonusers of alcohol.

Keywords:
voice; singing voice; singing style; speech; language and hearing science

Introduction

The voice also expresses feelings that cannot be expressed in spoken words. For the singer, the voice is a medium used to express feelings that capture the listener; it also has an intellectual and artistic role interconnecting the body and the mind of the singer to interpret a song.11 Rojas GVE, et al. O Fonoaudiólogo na formação de cantores. In: Ferreira LP, Andrada e Silva MA, Giannini SPP. Distúrbio de voz relacionado ao trabalho: Práticas Fonoaudiológicas. 1st ed. São Paulo: Roca; 2015:259-278 22 Zimmer V, Cielo CA, Ferreira FM. Vocal behavior of popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2012;14(02):298-307

The singer needs to take special care in keeping the mind and the body healthy, mainly the aspects regarding phonation.22 Zimmer V, Cielo CA, Ferreira FM. Vocal behavior of popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2012;14(02):298-307

Every singing style has specific demands, and a vocal alteration may prevent the singer from meeting them. As we evaluate the demands of the singing style, and the professional workload, vocal habits, and personal ambitions of the singer, it is possible to assess the needs of the singer and to implement a voice-training program.11 Rojas GVE, et al. O Fonoaudiólogo na formação de cantores. In: Ferreira LP, Andrada e Silva MA, Giannini SPP. Distúrbio de voz relacionado ao trabalho: Práticas Fonoaudiológicas. 1st ed. São Paulo: Roca; 2015:259-278

Higher education institutions and music schools in Brazil teach only two singing styles: classical and popular.33 Silva SL. The Voice Pedagogy for Popular Singing in the University: Experiments and Aesthetic Background. Anais do SEFiM-Interdisciplinar de Música. Filosofia e Educação. 2016;2(02):390-392

The classical singing style corresponds to the opera and demands complex adjustments, including vocal quality with harmonic richness, and accurate articulatory control and vocal projection. This allows the voice to stand out from the orchestra even without electronic amplification, and it requires long training.44 Avila ME, Oliveira G, Behlau M. Classical singing handicap index (CSHI) in erudite singers. Pro Fono 2010;22(03):221-226

The popular singing style does not have a technical standard, as the classical does; it is learned informally, mainly through vocal imitation, and may favor vocal misuse.55 Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19 Two important characteristics of this singing style are electronic amplification and voice adjustments close to the spoken voice.66 Do Nascimento EC. The crossover singer: a study of vocal versatility and some basic differences between classical and popular singing [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade Estadual Paulista; 2016:89 77 Sundberg J. Ciência da Voz na Fala e no Canto. São Paulo: Editora da Universidade de São Paulo; 2015

Elements such as the evolution of voice quality through the career, vocal habits, age, workload, extra jobs, and quality of life may be harmful to professional singers in particular.88 Vasilenko IuS, Pavlikhin OG, Izgarysheva ZA. [Analysis of the causes of vocal tract diseases in singers]. Vestn Otorinolaringol 2000;(05):13-17

The present investigation aims to verify and compare the singing style, the vocal habits, and the general health data of professional singers.

Methods

Cross-sectional, observational, analytical, quantitative and retrospective study using data from professional singers from a mid-sized town, previously approved by the Research Ethics Committee of our institution (40680614.7.0000.5346). The data on professional singers before speech therapy was gathered. The inclusion criteria were: professional singer of any style; aged from 19 to 57 years old – within this age range, the phonation has not suffered aging-related hormonal or structural influence, and no more alterations due to the mutational voice period are expected –; and informed consent adhesion. The exclusion criteria were: incomplete dataset; laryngeal affections verified by a laryngologist; report of pregnancy; and failed audiological screening.

Finally, data on singing style, vocal habits, and health conditions and history of 57 professional singers, 31 females and 26 males, aged from 19 to 57 years old (average of 32 years old), were analyzed descriptively and comparatively. The Pearson chi-squared test was used, with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05).

Results

There was a significant use of alcohol in males (p= 0.010); among the alcohol users, there was a significant presence of respiratory problems (p= 0.046), of pharyngitis/tonsillitis (p= 0.003), and of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) (p= 0.043); there was a significant presence of GER in subjects reporting endocrine problems (p= 0.023), gastritis (p= 0.023), and pharyngitis/tonsillitis (p= 0.030).

Discussion

There was a predominance of adult professional popular female singers, with complaints of respiratory issues (with a higher prevalence of rhinitis), without other general health issues, and most singers did not use alcohol nor tobacco. There was a significant use of alcohol in males; among the alcohol users, there was a significant presence of respiratory problems, of pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and of GER; there was a significant presence of GER in subjects reporting endocrine problems, of gastritis, and of pharyngitis/tonsillitis (Tables 1 2 3 and 4). In our study, there was a predominance of professional singers within the adult age group (25 to 44 years old), which is in agreement with another study, in which the majority of singers were young adults within the age group between 20 and 40 years old.99 Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918 According to other studies involving singers, this is the age period of maximum vocal efficiency.99 Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918 1010 Gunjawate DR, Aithal VU, Guddattu V, Kishore A, Bellur R. Exploring Attitudes of Indian Classical Singers Toward Seeking Vocal Health Care. J Voice 2016;30(06):761.e23-761.e26 1111 Rocha C, Moraes M, Behlau M. Pain in popular singers. J Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2012;24(04):374-380 1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 Although there is no consensus in the literature, some studies considered that the period of maximum vocal efficiency occurs between the ages of 25 and 45 years old, when structural larynx changes can be identified99 Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918 1414 Lima AT, Lucena JA, de Araújo ANB, de Lira ZS, Gomes Ade OC. Vocal range profile of chorists after the tongue-trill technique associated with scales. Rev CEFAC 2016;18(03):626-634 (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1
Results of descriptive analysis of variables: age, gender, singing style, vocal habits, and health condition and history
Table 2
Results of the comparative analysis according to gender, singing style, vocal habits, and health conditions and history as a function of age
Table 3
Results of the comparative analysis according to age, singing style, vocal habits, and health conditions and history as a function of gender
Table 4
Results of the comparative analysis according to age, sex, vocal habits, and health conditions/history as a function of singing style

There was a majority of female subjects (54 ± 2%), which is in agreement with results from some studies,44 Avila ME, Oliveira G, Behlau M. Classical singing handicap index (CSHI) in erudite singers. Pro Fono 2010;22(03):221-226 1010 Gunjawate DR, Aithal VU, Guddattu V, Kishore A, Bellur R. Exploring Attitudes of Indian Classical Singers Toward Seeking Vocal Health Care. J Voice 2016;30(06):761.e23-761.e26 1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 1515 Loiola-Barreiro CM, Silva MA. Vocal handicap index in popular and erudite professional singers. CoDAS 2016;28(05):602-609 1616 Achey MA, He MZ, Akst LM. Vocal Hygiene Habits and Vocal Handicap Among Conservatory Students of Classical Singing. J Voice 2016;30(02):192-197 1717 LOPES W. LIMA I. Vocal Characteristics of Folk Singers in the city of João Pessoa. Rev Bras Ciências da Saúde 2014;18(01): 21-26 1818 Carmo WCR, Amorin OG, Andrade LTW. Vocal Health in Chorus Singers Without Vocal Guidelines. Rev Bras Ciências da Saúde. 2012;16(02):167-176 1919 Pinheiro J, Silverio KCA, Siqueira LTD, et al. Correlation between vocal tract symptoms and modern singing handicap index in church gospel singers. CoDAS 2017;29(04):e20160187 and in contrast with results from other studies.22 Zimmer V, Cielo CA, Ferreira FM. Vocal behavior of popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2012;14(02):298-307 55 Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19 2020 Gehling D, Sridharan S, Fritz M, et al. Backstage at Broadway: a demographic study. J Voice 2014;28(03):311-315 This suggests that men present a greater voice handicap when compared with women. We inferred that female singers are more prone to participate as volunteers in research studies. There was a majority of female subjects in the predominant popular singing style, which is in line with another study showing a majority of female subjects in the popular singing style1515 Loiola-Barreiro CM, Silva MA. Vocal handicap index in popular and erudite professional singers. CoDAS 2016;28(05):602-609 (Tables 1 and 3).

We verified the prevalence of the popular in relation to the classical singing style (5 classical singers and 52 popular singers), as was also found in the study by Loiola-Barreiro et al.1515 Loiola-Barreiro CM, Silva MA. Vocal handicap index in popular and erudite professional singers. CoDAS 2016;28(05):602-609 The town analyzed has an university offering a bachelor's degree in music, and as classical singing demands great phonation refinement and specific adjustments leading classical singers to attend singing courses,1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 a prevalence of the classical singing style was expected. However, the popular singing style was predominant; it is known that some popular singers begin their professional careers based only on the talent they present for singing,1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 1717 LOPES W. LIMA I. Vocal Characteristics of Folk Singers in the city of João Pessoa. Rev Bras Ciências da Saúde 2014;18(01): 21-26 and this may be the case in our study (Tables 1 and 4).

It is important to include here a brief literature review on the vocal habits and on the general health of classical and popular singers. Classical singers are usually more disciplined due to the demand on musicality, vocal extension, vocal quality, vocal perception, and on tuning.1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 2121 Filho MC, Jesus LMT. Proprioception in Singing: A Qualitative Assessment of Singing Students' Vocal Performance. Atas CIAIQ2016 2016;1:696-706 2222 Mainka A, et al. Lower vocal tract morphologic adjustments are relevant for voice timbre in singing. Bolhuis JJ, ed. PLoS ONE. 201510(7) The study by Dassie-Leite et al1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 indicated that classical singers are aware of good vocal habits, despite not having any formal training. The study by Achey et al1616 Achey MA, He MZ, Akst LM. Vocal Hygiene Habits and Vocal Handicap Among Conservatory Students of Classical Singing. J Voice 2016;30(02):192-197 found out that North American classical singing students still present high levels of lack of vocal preparation, although there is a great concern regarding vocal health. The study by Quintela et al2323 Quintela AS, Leite ICG, Daniel RJ. Practices in warm up and unwarm of the voice of lyric singers. HU Rev. 2008;34(01):27-32 revealed that classical singing teachers have little training on the prevention of vocal affections. Popular singers have their own style, often based on imitation, which makes them more prone to vocal abuses.1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 In axé, bossa nova, samba, or sertanejo, Brazilian ramifications of the popular singing style, singers meet the phonation demands without training on the prevention of vocal affections, therefore without knowing how to properly care for and how to preserve their voices. A study from 20052424 Behlau M. Voz: o livro do especialista. 1st ed. Rio de Janeiro: Revinter; 2005 demonstrated that popular singers have the same degree of knowledge on vocal habits when compared with classical singers, in contrast to what the literature had described before that.

In our study, most of the singers were nonsmokers, as found by Ferreira et al,2525 Ferreira LP, dos Santos JG, de Lima MFB. Vocal sympton and its probable cause: data colleting in a population. Rev CEFAC 2009;11 (01):110-118 and most of them (77 ± 2%; n= 44) did not use alcohol, in contrast with the study by Puhl et al.2626 Puhl EA et al. Smoking and alcohol intake: prevalence among teachers, singers, telemarketers and actors. In: Anais do 18° Congresso Brasileiro de Fonoaudiologia. 2010:2933 In the study by Gehling et al,2020 Gehling D, Sridharan S, Fritz M, et al. Backstage at Broadway: a demographic study. J Voice 2014;28(03):311-315 most singers (90%) used alcohol, and a minority used tobacco (regarding tobacco use, this was also found by Garzón García et al).55 Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19 In our study, it is noteworthy that popular singers used alcohol more frequently (n= 11), and as the refinement of the phonation demands are lower, it may indicate less vocal care. In another study comparing flamenco singers with classical singers, there was no significant difference in alcohol or tobacco use (Table 1).55 Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19

A study from 19982727 Ferreira PL, et al. Voz profissional: o profissional da voz. 2nd ed. Carapicuíba: Pró-Fono; 1998 about professional training of 10 classical singers and 10 popular singers indicated that 20% of the singers used tobacco and that 20% used alcohol. In another study from 2002,1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 only 1 out of 26 individuals mentioned using alcohol. More recently, in 2010,2626 Puhl EA et al. Smoking and alcohol intake: prevalence among teachers, singers, telemarketers and actors. In: Anais do 18° Congresso Brasileiro de Fonoaudiologia. 2010:2933 a study found that the alcohol use among classical and popular singers was 40%, with predominance in the popular singers, which is in line with the results from our study.

A study from 20111212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 found that tobacco and alcohol use among popular and classical singers was very low, as was found in our study. The decline in tobacco use among singers in recent years portrays an increase in the degree of awareness on damaging habits, once widespread within the musical culture. This change in behavior was present in other studies, indicating advances in vocal habits and in the care for general health.55 Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19 1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 1515 Loiola-Barreiro CM, Silva MA. Vocal handicap index in popular and erudite professional singers. CoDAS 2016;28(05):602-609 2525 Ferreira LP, dos Santos JG, de Lima MFB. Vocal sympton and its probable cause: data colleting in a population. Rev CEFAC 2009;11 (01):110-118 2626 Puhl EA et al. Smoking and alcohol intake: prevalence among teachers, singers, telemarketers and actors. In: Anais do 18° Congresso Brasileiro de Fonoaudiologia. 2010:2933 2727 Ferreira PL, et al. Voz profissional: o profissional da voz. 2nd ed. Carapicuíba: Pró-Fono; 1998

Alcohol use was higher in adults (n= 7), and higher in men (n= 10) than in women (n= 3). Epidemiological studies in Brazil show that alcohol use is predominant in males,2828 Carlini AE. Epidemiology of alcohol use in Brazil. Arq Méd ABC. 2006;31:4-7 but there are no studies on singers (Tables 2 and 3).

Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollution and sudden changes in temperature, also interfere with vocal health.1818 Carmo WCR, Amorin OG, Andrade LTW. Vocal Health in Chorus Singers Without Vocal Guidelines. Rev Bras Ciências da Saúde. 2012;16(02):167-176 More than half of the singers who participated in the research (n= 30), and most of the classical singers (n= 3), reported some type of respiratory problem, such as asthma, bronchitis and, mainly, rhinitis and sinusitis (n= 24). This result is in line with the findings from the study by Goulart et al2929 Goulart BN, Rocha JG, Chiari BM. Group speech-language pathology intervention in popular singers: prospective controlled study. J Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2012;24(01):7-18 (18.9% for rhinitis and 10.8% for rhinitis and sinusitis in singers) and with the study by Vieira et al,3030 Vieira RH, Gadenz CD, Cassol M. Longitudinal Study Of Vocal Characterization In Choral Singing. Rev CEFAC 2015;17(06): 1781-1791 who found rhinitis as the prevalent allergic disorder in singers. This study3030 Vieira RH, Gadenz CD, Cassol M. Longitudinal Study Of Vocal Characterization In Choral Singing. Rev CEFAC 2015;17(06): 1781-1791 also found that rhinitis is one of the most frequent airway diseases, and that it can affect up to 20% of the general population. The high incidence of respiratory problems may be related to the climate in the region, which is humid subtropical. Humidity, rainfall, and episodes of rapid and wide temperature change are factors that can favor the emergence, and increase the effects, of respiratory diseases. Upper respiratory tract infections are very common in this region due to the climate.3131 Ferreira LP, Nagamine MLM, Giannini SPP. Saúde Vocal e gênero: diferenças em relação à saúde geral, hábitos e sintomas vocais. Distúrb Comun 2010;22(01):37-45 3232 Barcellos C, et al. Climatic and Environmental Changes and their Effect on Infectious Diseases: Scenarios and Uncertainties for Brazil. Epidemiol Serv Saude 2009;18(03):285-304 The climate may have consequences to the general health, therefore, allergic or nasal disorders can trigger subsequent symptoms, such as coughing and throat clearing, which promote vocal fold aggression and alter the vocal quality. Considering that one of the levels of vocal production is respiratory, diseases that affect the respiratory system can have direct effects on the voice, such as difficulty in achieving sharp notes, sonority breaks, and compromised vocal agility.22 Zimmer V, Cielo CA, Ferreira FM. Vocal behavior of popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2012;14(02):298-307 2525 Ferreira LP, dos Santos JG, de Lima MFB. Vocal sympton and its probable cause: data colleting in a population. Rev CEFAC 2009;11 (01):110-118 Respiratory allergies may be prevalent in females, justified by hormonal influences, more frequent within the young-adult age group3131 Ferreira LP, Nagamine MLM, Giannini SPP. Saúde Vocal e gênero: diferenças em relação à saúde geral, hábitos e sintomas vocais. Distúrb Comun 2010;22(01):37-45; our study found a higher occurrence within the adult female age group (Tables 1, 2, and 3).

In our study, there was no significant presence of GER in singers; but there was a significant presence of GER in subjects reporting endocrine problems, gastritis, and pharyngitis/tonsillitis. According to the literature, GER is commonly found among singers due to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure used for proper breathing, performance, or stress management. Ingestion of substances such as tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat foods also favors the return of gastric contents to the glottic level, causing vocal irritation.99 Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918 2020 Gehling D, Sridharan S, Fritz M, et al. Backstage at Broadway: a demographic study. J Voice 2014;28(03):311-315 3333 Wolff SG, et al. Relação entre Voz e Doença do Refluxo emCantores: revisão de literature [dissertation]. Florianópolis: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; 2016:86 The study by Lloyd et al3434 Lloyd AT, Ruddy BH, Silverman E, LewisVM, Lehman JJ. Quantifying Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Singers: Perceptual and Objective Findings. BioMed Res Int 2017;2017:3918214 investigated the relationship between GER symptoms and oropharyngeal pH levels in professional and semiprofessional singers, and found that mild GER was present in 95% of the participants by objective evaluation, although only 75% of the participants had signs of self-reported GER using subjective evaluation. The same occurred in another study,1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 in which among laryngeal alterations, GER was the prevalent pathology in popular singers, with a slight predominance in women1313 Zampieri SA, Behlau M, do Brasil OC. Dancing show singers analysis in pop and opera music styles: perceptual-auditory, acoustic and laryngeal configuration. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2002;68(03):378-386 (Table 1).

Recently, a bibliographic review3333 Wolff SG, et al. Relação entre Voz e Doença do Refluxo emCantores: revisão de literature [dissertation]. Florianópolis: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; 2016:86 assumed that the predominance of GER in female subjects occurs because the majority of the samples is composed of female subjects in studies that correlate singing and pathology. In our study, the difference between genders was not statistically significant. Among alcohol users, there was a significant presence of respiratory problems, of pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and of GER. Among the habits that cause GER, the use of alcohol is the most cited, as it is an agent that favors the production of acid by the stomach. In addition, it can reduce the tonus of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters, causing GER.99 Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918 3333 Wolff SG, et al. Relação entre Voz e Doença do Refluxo emCantores: revisão de literature [dissertation]. Florianópolis: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; 2016:86 Although cited in the literature, only one study3535 Cobzeanu MD, Voineag M, Drug VL, Ciubotaru A, Cobzeanu BM, Palade OD. Laryngeal morphological changes due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi 2012;116 (04):1011-1015 presented evidences regarding the combination of alcohol use and GER (Tables 1, 3, and 4). We did not find reported in the literature the combination of alcohol use and respiratory problems or pharyngitis/tonsillitis.

We did not find predominance of alcohol use, of respiratory, or of general health issues in the popular singing style. These results disagreed with those of the study by Dassie-Leite et al,1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 in which, among the vocal abuses prevalent in singers, there was lack of hydration, alcohol use, tobacco use, lack of appropriate vocal technique for singing, sleep dysregulation, bad eating habits, exposure to noisy and smoky environments, as well as vocal abuse. Other factors, such as financial instability, stress, and unorganized schedules also seem to affect the vocal health of singers.1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 Other studies11 Rojas GVE, et al. O Fonoaudiólogo na formação de cantores. In: Ferreira LP, Andrada e Silva MA, Giannini SPP. Distúrbio de voz relacionado ao trabalho: Práticas Fonoaudiológicas. 1st ed. São Paulo: Roca; 2015:259-278 1212 Dassie-Leite AP, Duprat Ade C, Busch R. A comparison between vocal habits of lyric and popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2011;13(01): 123-131 3636 Rezende G, Irineu RA, Dornelas R. College Choir: Self-Reported Symptoms Vocal and Handicap Vocal in Singing. Rev CEFAC 2015; 17(04):1161-1172 claim that singers often report intensive voice use and allergic attacks (Table 4).

Further studies may include a larger number of classical singers.

Conclusion

There was a prevalence of adult female popular singers, nonsmokers, nonusers of alcohol, with respiratory problems, mainly rhinitis, and without other health problems. There was a significant use of alcohol in males; among the alcohol users, there was a significant presence of respiratory problems, of pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and of GER; there was a significant presence of GER in subjects reporting endocrine problems, gastritis, and pharyngitis/tonsillitis.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Prof L S Dorneles (English revision). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001).

References

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    Rojas GVE, et al. O Fonoaudiólogo na formação de cantores. In: Ferreira LP, Andrada e Silva MA, Giannini SPP. Distúrbio de voz relacionado ao trabalho: Práticas Fonoaudiológicas. 1st ed. São Paulo: Roca; 2015:259-278
  • 2
    Zimmer V, Cielo CA, Ferreira FM. Vocal behavior of popular singers. Rev CEFAC 2012;14(02):298-307
  • 3
    Silva SL. The Voice Pedagogy for Popular Singing in the University: Experiments and Aesthetic Background. Anais do SEFiM-Interdisciplinar de Música. Filosofia e Educação. 2016;2(02):390-392
  • 4
    Avila ME, Oliveira G, Behlau M. Classical singing handicap index (CSHI) in erudite singers. Pro Fono 2010;22(03):221-226
  • 5
    Garzón García M, Muñoz López J, Y Mendoza Lara E. Voice Habits and Behaviors: Voice Care Among Flamenco Singers. J Voice 2017;31(02):246.e11-246.e19
  • 6
    Do Nascimento EC. The crossover singer: a study of vocal versatility and some basic differences between classical and popular singing [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade Estadual Paulista; 2016:89
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    Sundberg J. Ciência da Voz na Fala e no Canto. São Paulo: Editora da Universidade de São Paulo; 2015
  • 8
    Vasilenko IuS, Pavlikhin OG, Izgarysheva ZA. [Analysis of the causes of vocal tract diseases in singers]. Vestn Otorinolaringol 2000;(05):13-17
  • 9
    Zambão RV, Penteado ZR, Calçada MLM. Working conditions and professional voice use by ballroomband singers. Rev CEFAC 2014; 16(06):1909-1918
  • 10
    Gunjawate DR, Aithal VU, Guddattu V, Kishore A, Bellur R. Exploring Attitudes of Indian Classical Singers Toward Seeking Vocal Health Care. J Voice 2016;30(06):761.e23-761.e26
  • 11
    Rocha C, Moraes M, Behlau M. Pain in popular singers. J Soc Bras Fonoaudiol 2012;24(04):374-380
  • 12
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    25 Nov 2019
  • Date of issue
    Jul-Sep 2019

History

  • Received
    31 Jan 2019
  • Accepted
    21 May 2019
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