Prevalence of voice problems in wind instrumentalists, singers and general public

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported voice problems, voice-related quality of life and risk factors for voice problem among singers, wind instrumentalists and non-music players. A vocal health questionnaire and the Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP) were administered online. Responses from 101 singers, 29 wind instrumentalists and 115 non-music players were received. Result showed that singers had the highest prevalence of self-reported voice problems (39.6%) among the three groups. The scores of the Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP) for the three groups were similar. However, voice problem affected singers’ emotion most, whereas voice problem affected the other two groups’ daily communication most. Being a singer also has a significant adjusted odd ratio of reporting voice problem, compared to general public (OR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.17 – 4.93; p < .05) No such association was found for wind instrumentalist (p < .05). The prevalence rate of voice problem and odd ratios suggested that singers have greater odds of having voice problem, whereas wind instrumentalists have similar vocal performance and risks as general public. Voice problem affected singers’ emotion most, while affecting wind instrumentalists and non-music players’ daily communication most.