ABSTRACT
Purpose
To assess the risk of dysphonia and presence of voice change in professionals from different categories working in a university environment.
Methods
Cross-sectional research using the Dysphonia Risk Screening Protocol to analyze the variables sex, age, hydration, smoking, professional category and vocal demand and to calculate the final score. Voice recording took place in the work environment using the CAPE-V protocol. Judges performed the auditory-perceptual analysis. Data were compared between the groups with high/low risk of dysphonia and presence/absence of voice disorders.
Results
80 individuals participated, with an average age of 47.7 years, 84% female. There was a high risk of dysphonia in 70%, and voice change in 34%. Insufficient hydration and smoking were frequent. In the group with a high risk of dysphonia and who had voice disorders, the presence of employees from the administrative area stood out, and, in the group with lower risk and no changes, health employees were outstanding. Older age was associated with voice disorders, regardless of groups.
Conclusion
Identification of high risk of dysphonia and the relevant presence of voice changes in individuals from different professional categories who are part of the university environment suggest the need to propose preventive actions and promote workers' health.
Keywords:
Voice disorders; Dysphonia; Risk factors; Occupational health; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences