Dysphonia and Vocal Tract Discomfort While Working From Home During COVID-19

Abstract

During COVID-19, government measures to prevent disease spread included advice to work from home. In addition to occupational risk factors, the increased use of telecommunication and changed work environment may contribute to voice and vocal tract discomfort (VTD). This study established the prevalence, incidence, characteristics and impact of self-perceived dysphonia and VTD in those working from home during COVID-19. Methods. A cross-sectional, observational study using an online survey recruited 1575 participants. It captured information about dysphonia and VTD presence, onset, and severity. Those with dysphonia completed the voicerelated quality of life to measure impact. Regression analyses identified risk factors for voice and vocal tract problems. Results. Dysphonia and VTD prevalence rates were 33% and 68%, respectively, incidences were 28% and 50%. Perceived dysphonia severity was mild in 72% of cases. Dry throat was the most common VTD symptom at 66%. Mean voice-related quality of life score was 82.4 (standard deviation § 13.2). Raising or straining the voice while working predicted new onset dysphonia and VTD. Increasing telecommunication use was associated with worse dysphonia and VTD onset. Conclusion. Those working from home have seen a rise in dysphonia and VTD, which were associated with communication modality and change in environment. If home offices become the 'new normal' post-COVID, workplaces should consider voice training for employees to limit potential difficulties.

COVID-19 and Remote Learning: Predictive Factors of Perceived Improvement or Worsening of the Voice in Brazilian Teachers

“…The prevalence of perceived voice alterations prior to the pandemic (32%) was similar to that reported in a recent study of people who were working remotely during the pandemic 10 and reinforces the high risk of dysphonia in this professional group. Although most of the participants did not report previous vocal changes, the proportion that did was higher than that reported in Behlau et al 3 and Devadas et al 21 ; those authors reported values close to 50% in the literature but emphasized that comparisons are difficult to make due to difference in methodologies.…”

“…Psychological stress is one of the main factors associated with vocal symptoms in teachers. 4 , 9 , 10 Additionally, some of the teachers in this study reported experiencing vocal exhaustion. Because their voice is fundamental to their profession, teachers’ stress may increase as they notice vocal symptoms and/or difficulties with communication.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic imposed several transformations on life and work routines, habits and social and leisure activities 8 , 9 due to the social distancing adopted to stop the progression of the disease. 10 The resulting social isolation led to drastic occupational changes throughout the world, particularly for teachers, who suddenly had to adapt all of their teaching activities to deliver them from their homes. 8 , 11 There was virtually no time for this adaptation, and teachers had to develop virtual teaching activities to the best of their ability at that time.…”

“… 9 In addition, home office workers in different fields have reported increased vocal fatigue and musculoskeletal pain in the cervical region 8 in addition to the development of dysphonia and vocal tract discomfort. 10 …”

COVID-19 and the teacher’s voice: self-perception and contributions of speech therapy to voice and communication during the pandemic

“…In this new reality, hybrid contexts, in which some activities can be implemented in person and others at a distance, have become common. This context has not been different in the area of speech therapy, and recent research on voice has been dedicated to understanding the following: professional vocal use during this pandemic period, especially in singers (6); the impact of wearing facemasks (7); the risks of vocal changes in different professionals who are working remotely (8,9); and the challenge of virtual voice therapy (10,11). The teacher's voice has been one of the themes most researched by specialists for decades, especially regarding symptoms and risk factors.…”