Effect of Wearing a Face Mask on Vocal Self-Perception during a Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the vocal self-perception of individuals who wore face masks for essential activities and those who wore them for professional and essential activities during the coronavirus disease pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The study included 468 individuals who were stratified into two groups: the Working Group, comprising individuals who wore face masks for professional and essential activities during the pandemic; and the Essential Activities Group, with individuals who wore face masks only for essential activities during the pandemic. The outcome measures tested were self-perception of vocal fatigue, vocal tract discomfort, vocal effort, speech intelligibility, auditory feedback, and coordination between speech and breathing. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. RESULTS: Face masks increased the perception of vocal effort, difficulty in speech intelligibility, auditory feedback, and difficulty in coordinating speech and breathing, irrespective of usage. Individuals who wore face masks for professional and essential activities had a greater perception of symptoms of vocal fatigue and discomfort, vocal effort, difficulties in speech intelligibility, and in coordinating speech and breathing. CONCLUSION: Use of face masks increases the perception of vocal symptoms and discomfort, especially in individuals who wore it for professional and essential activities.