PURPOSE:
to verify complaints, vocal and laryngeal symptoms, and voice handicap in gospel singers, comparing the singers from traditional churches and the pentecostal ones.
METHODS:
it was analyzed 100 gospel singers from both sexes, divided in traditional and Pentecostal groups. It was addressed a questionnaire about profession, vocal self-image, complaints, vocal/laryngeal symptoms, and the Modern Singing Handicap Index. The obtained data were analyzed statistically using the mean calculus, percentage, and comparison between groups (Mann-Whitney Test with a significance level of 5%).
RESULTS:
the majority of gospel singers do not use their voices professionally, and 2% have knowledge about techniques and voice prepare. The time of singing activities vary from 6 to 8 hour per week and more than half of studied group reported a good voice. There were no significant differences regarding vocal and laryngeal complaint in the group comparison. Traditional gospel singers had higher occurrence of loud voice when compared to Pentecostal ones, regarding male gender (p=0.002). Female Pentecostal singers reported worst result to disability (p=0.08), handicap (p>0.000), and impairment (p=0.04) when compared to female singers from traditional group.
CONCLUSION:
With exception from the loud voice symptom often reported by the male traditional singers, there were no significant differences regarding vocal complaint and symptoms between the studied groups. Women from Pentecostal group had worst result in the three subscales, showing higher vocal handicap than women of traditional group.
Voice; Voice disorders; Quality of Life; Religion; Singing
