The Study of Vocal Fatigue Symptoms in Speech Therapy Students by Focusing on In-Turned and Ex-Turned Students

Abstract

Introduction: The voice is a professional tool for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Due to the daily professional use of voice, SLPs, especially novices in this profession are exposed to voice injuries and disorders. Identifying high-risk vocal behaviors in this group can prevent the spread of more serious laryngeal injuries. This study aimed to investigate voice fatigue symptoms in speech therapy students. Materials and Methods: In this study, 129 speech therapy students were divided into two main groups of in-turns and ex-turns. In three sections of the semester (beginning, middle, and end), the vocal fatigue index (VFI) questionnaire and two auditory-perceptual voice scales were completed for both groups. The within-between comparisons were made  by considering other side factors, such as gender and students’ professional knowledge status in SPSS software v. 19.0. Results: In the in-turns group, the mean score of VFI at the middle (P=0.025) and the end (P=0.010) of the semester were significantly higher than at the beginning of the semester. Also, the mean score VFI of the in-turns at the middle and end of the semester were higher than of the ex-turned speech therapy students (P=0.011). The effects of students’ gender and their knowledge status on the findings were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that new vocal-speech behaviors related to clinical activities in the clinic environment of speech therapy can increase laryngeal tensions and vocal fatigue in in-turned speech therapy students.