Future teachers and the self-perception of vocal symptoms and knowledge about vocal health and hygiene

PURPOSE: To analyze responses of future teachers regarding the self-perception of vocal symptoms and knowledge about vocal health and vocal hygiene, relating them to sociodemographic and occupational variables and previous knowledge about voice. METHODS: Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. A total of 264 undergraduate students participated and the Vocal Health and Hygiene Questionnaire (QSHV), Vocal Symptoms Scale (ESV) and a questionnaire with sociodemographic, occupational and vocal questions were applied. Data were statistically analyzed considering a 5% significance level. RESULTS: QSHV of future teachers had a total mean score of 21.89, suggestive of lack of knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. The results of the ESV are above the instrument's cutoff score, in each of the three domains and in the total score, there was greater symptomatology in first-year students when compared to other students, in the emotional, limitation and total domains. There was a difference when comparing the QSHV with the year of graduation (p=0.001), in which third and fourth year students obtained higher scores. A positive correlation was observed between the total QSHV score and the age variable (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Future teachers present important vocal symptomatology, compatible with dysphonic individuals, and have insufficient knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. Knowledge is even lower among students in the early undergraduate years and at a younger age. Older future teachers demonstrate more knowledge about vocal health and hygiene. It is necessary to propose preventive actions with this population, even during the graduation period, aiming to reduce the risks of developing vocal problems in the medium or long term during teaching.