Voice problems among teachers: differences by gender and teaching characteristics

Abstract

This study describes the effects of teaching activities on voice problems in male (n = 274) and female teachers (n = 280). Over 38% of the teachers studied complained that teaching had an adverse impact on their voice and 39% of those had cut back teaching activities as a result. Compared to males, female teachers more frequently reported a voice problem (38% vs. 26%, p<.05), acute (p<.05), and chronic (p<.05) voice problems, six specific voice symptoms, and five symptoms of physical discomfort. However, there were no gender differences in the perception that a voice problem adversely affected their current or future teaching career. For every type of course taught, women had a higher probability of reporting voice problems compared to men: odds ratio (OR) = 1.7-2.1. Compared with other courses, the teaching of physical education also was associated with an increased risk of developing a voice problem (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4-9.4) independent of gender, age, hours/day, or years taught. This is the first study to show that in the same occupation, females report a higher frequency of vocal symptoms than males even when teaching characteristics and years employment are similar.