Effect of Wearing a Face Mask on Vocal Self-Perception during a Pandemic.
Vanessa Veis Ribeiro, Ana Paula Dassie-Leite, Eliane Cristina Pereira and 3 others
PMID 33011037WHAT IT FOUND
People who wore masks for work reported more vocal fatigue, throat discomfort, and difficulty coordinating speech and breathing than those who wore them only for essential errands.
Both groups felt masks made speaking harder and reduced their ability to hear themselves clearly.
Key findings
01Workers wearing masks reported significantly higher scores for vocal fatigue, including tiredness and voice impairment, compared to those using masks only for essential activities.
02Mask use increased perceived vocal effort, difficulty with speech intelligibility, and trouble coordinating speech and breathing in all participants, regardless of why they wore the mask.
03Individuals using masks for professional activities experienced significantly higher frequency and intensity of vocal tract discomfort than those using them only for essential activities.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relied entirely on self-report measures and did not include objective vocal assessments. Data collection occurred only during the pandemic, which may have influenced psychological factors like stress or anxiety that affect vocal perception. The study did not control for vocal dose or the specific duration of daily mask wear. The design is cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that mask use caused the vocal symptoms, only that they are associated.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all mask users experience the same level of vocal strain. The study found that symptoms were significantly worse for those wearing masks for professional activities compared to those wearing them only for essential tasks, suggesting that duration and context of use are critical factors.