The teaching voice: problems and perceptions

Abstract

This paper reports a preliminary investigation into the vocal health of primary, secondary and grammar school teachers. Data is specific to Northern Ireland and was obtained through the use of specially designed questionnaires which were sent to speech and language therapists and a group of teachers and non-teachers outside the clinical setting. The findings show that teachers run a considerably higher risk of presenting in clinic with a voice problem. There is evidence of marked differences in self-reported symptoms, perceived causative factors and attitudes to management of voice problems among teachers compared to non-teachers. These findings support the implementation of specific voice conservation and care for those in the teaching profession.