Vocal Aspects of Brazilian Evangelical Pastors

Abstract

Purpose: Investigate the vocal and laryngopharyngeal symptoms, vocal quality, Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP), and vocal acoustic and auditory-perceptual characteristics from evangelical pastors comparing with the same aspects of nonprofessional voice men.

Method: Sixty professionally active male subjects were divided into two groups: 30 pastors and 30 nonprofessional voice men, with ages between 24 and 59 years old. Participants answered the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD) questionnaire and the VAPP, as well as an auditory-perceptual and acoustic evaluation of the voice.

Results: The evangelical pastors reported problems with throat clearing, cough with secretion, secretion/phlegm in the throat, and strained speech. Although there were no differences in vocal characteristics between pastors and nonprofessional voice men, the score for effects on the job and the total score of the VAPP were higher for the evangelical pastors.

Conclusion: Regarding the vocal characteristics, evangelical pastors do not present distinct vocal alterations in the auditory-perceptual and acoustic parameters analyzed when compared with nonprofessional voice men. However, they show laryngopharyngeal symptoms when speaking and perceive that some vocal alterations limit their professional performance but do not prevent the practice of this profession.

Keywords: Activities of daily living; Clergy; Religious personnel; Vocal quality; Voice.