VOICE PROBLEMS AMONG TEACHERS - DIFFERENCES BY GENDER AND TEACHING CHARACTERISTICS

This study describes the effects of teaching activities on voice probl ems in male (n = 274) and female teachers (n = 280). Over 38% of the t eachers studied complained that teaching had an adverse impact on thei r voice and 39% of those had cut back teaching activities as a result. Compared to males. female teachers more frequently reported a voice p roblem (38% vs. 26%, p < .05), acute (p < .05), and chronic (p < .05) voice problems, six specific voice symptoms, and five symptoms of phys ical discomfort. However, there were no gender differences in the perc eption that a Voice problem adversely affected their current or future teaching career. For every type of course taught, women had a higher probability of reporting voice problems compared to men: odds ratio (O R) = 1.7-2.1. Compared with other courses, the teaching of physical ed ucation also was associated with an increased risk of developing a voi ce problem (OR = 3.7, 95% CI:1.4-9.4) independent of gender, age, hour s/day, or years taught. This is the first study to show that in the sa me occupation, females report a higher frequency of vocal symptoms tha n males even when teaching characteristics and years employment are si milar.