# Self-perception of vocal fatigue and insomnia severity in teachers

## TL;DR

Teachers at risk for voice disorders report higher vocal fatigue and insomnia symptoms, with female teachers showing recovery after vocal rest.

## Contribution

This study identifies gender-specific differences in vocal fatigue recovery and insomnia severity among teachers at risk for dysphonia.

## Key findings

- Teachers at risk for dysphonia had higher vocal fatigue and insomnia scores than those not at risk.
- Female teachers at risk for dysphonia recovered from vocal fatigue after vocal rest, unlike those not at risk.
- Both groups experienced subthreshold insomnia, but those at risk showed more severe symptoms.

## Abstract

To compare the self-perception of vocal fatigue and insomnia severity between teachers at risk and not at risk for dysphonia and between men and women.

The study included 120 female and 80 male teachers from various teaching levels. All participants completed self-assessment questionnaires on their working conditions, the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD), the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Teachers were grouped into those at risk (DG) and not at risk for dysphonia (NDG).

Both DG and NDG reported noise, stress, and dust in the work environment. These factors were more frequent in DG, which also scored above the cutoff for all VFI factors, while NDG scored high in Factor I and the total score but scored below the cutoff in Factor IV. Analysis per gender revealed no difference between DG and NDG among males, except for Factor IV. Among females, Factor IV scores were above the cutoff in DG. ISI indicated all participants had subthreshold insomnia.

Teachers often had symptoms of vocal fatigue and subthreshold insomnia regardless of the risk for dysphonia. However, DG teachers had higher scores on both protocols. Also, DG females recovered from vocal fatigue symptoms after vocal rest, unlike their counterparts who were not at risk. Both DG and NDG males and females experienced vocal fatigue and limitations, but only those at risk recovered after vocal rest.

Comparar autopercepção de fadiga vocal e gravidade da insônia de professores com e sem risco para disfonia, bem como entre homens e mulheres.

Participaram 120 professoras e 80 professores, de vários níveis de ensino. Todos responderam aos questionários de autoavaliação: condições de trabalho docente, Índice de Triagem de Distúrbios da Voz-ITDV, Índice de Fadiga Vocal-IFV e Índice de Gravidade da Insônia-IGI. Os professores foram distribuídos em grupo com risco (GD) e sem risco para disfonia (GND).

GD e GND relataram ruído, estresse e poeira no ambiente de trabalho, sendo mais frequentes no GD. No IFV, GD apresentou escores acima dos valores de corte para todos os fatores, enquanto GND apresentou valores elevados para o fator-I e total, e valores abaixo da nota de corte para o fator-IV. Na análise por gênero, não houve diferença no grupo masculino entre GD e GND apenas para o fator-IV. Para as professoras, o fator-IV apresentou escore acima do valor de corte para GD. Quanto ao IGI, todos apresentaram insônia subliminar.

Independente do risco para disfonia, professores apresentaram frequente sintomatologia de fadiga vocal e insônia subliminar, porém, professores com risco para disfonia apresentaram escores mais elevados para ambos os protocolos. Além disso, professoras com risco para disfonia recuperam sintomas de fadiga vocal após repouso vocal, o que não ocorreu com as professoras sem risco. Os professores com e sem risco para disfonia apresentaram fadiga e limitação vocal, sendo que apenas os professores com risco se recuperam após repouso vocal.