Voice symptoms and risk factors for developing voice disorders in future musical actors

Musical theater students follow an intensive program of singing, acting and physical excercises (dancing) and are expected to participate in long rehearsals and full performances. As they are absolutely depending on their vocal quality and vocal capacities for their studies and their future profession, an optimal voice coaching is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the voice quality, voice symptoms and the risk factors for developing voice problems in future elite vocal performers (musical theater performers). Thirty-one Musical students (7 men and 24 women) with a mean age of 20 years participated to the study. To determine the objective voice quality aerodynamic measurements, voice range profile, acoustic analysis and Dysphonia Severity Index were used. To inventory the voice symptoms and the risk factors for developing voice disorders the Dutch version of the checklists (De Bodt et al. 2008) of Russel et al. (2000) were used. The questionnaires investigate the presence and the frequency (never, daily, weekly, monthly) of voice symptoms and risk factors (vocal abuse, vocal misuse) as reported by the subjects. Psychosocial impact of a voice disorder was investigated using the the Voice Handicap Index and Singing Voice Handicap Index. The mean DSI in male and female Musical theater students was respectively 3.9 and 5.6, both corresponding with an overall good vocal quality. The results of the VHI showed no important psychosocial impact on the speaking voice. Despite the overall good vocal quality, more than 40% experienced voice symptoms on a regular basis. Vocal misuse and abuse was also frequently reported. Videolaryngostroboscopy revealed a high presence of organic and functional voice disorders. Note: The objective vocal quality in this group was presented in a poster at the voice conference in Philadelphia in 2015. This presentation focuses on new data regarding the symptoms and risk factors reported by the subjects.

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