Self-perception of voice, hearing, and general health in screening for voice changes in older women.
Maria Clara Rocha, Bárbara de Faria Morais Nogueira, Flávio Barbosa Nunes and 1 others
PMID 38198297WHAT IT FOUND
Among 95 older women, 44 screened positive for voice disorders.
These women rated their voice, hearing, and general health worse than those who screened negative. They also reported more sore throats, sinusitis, and respiratory allergies. Age, education, smoking, and hydration were not linked to the screening result.
Key findings
0144 of the 95 older women screened positive for voice disorders using the RAVI tool.
02Women with voice disorders had statistically significantly worse self-perception of voice, hearing, and general health, as well as higher rates of sore throat, respiratory allergies, and sinusitis.
03Sociodemographic factors and vocal behaviors like smoking and hydration were not statistically associated with the presence of voice disorders.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included older women, so the results may not apply to men. Data relied on self-report and memory, which can be inaccurate. The researchers could not determine if reported symptoms like sore throat were acute or chronic at the time of the interview, which might have affected the prevalence estimates. This is a cross-sectional survey, so it shows associations but cannot prove that health conditions cause voice disorders. The sample was recruited by invitation from the community, which may not represent all older women.
Declared interests
The work was supported by CAPES and UFMG's Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa. No commercial conflicts of interest were reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that smoking or poor hydration caused the voice disorders in this group. The study found no statistical association between these behaviors and the screening results. The significant links were to self-perception of health and upper respiratory conditions.