Research Plus

Occupational voice loss

A systematic literature review of the treatment and prevention of occupational voice disorders notes that 40,000 people with dysphonia are referred for voice therapy each year in the UK. Between 20% and 80% of teachers report suffering from a voice disorder. It identified six randomised controlled trials on treatment and two on prevention – though only one was of high quality. A combination of direct and indirect voice therapy is effective in improving vocal functioning, with evidence from two trials that the benefits remain in the medium and long term. No high-quality evidence was found to support the use of voice training in at-risk populations.

Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 2008; 138: 557–565.

Tags evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2008 (vol. 05/1) pp34