At the Spring Meeting, we were honoured to have the eminent speech and language therapist PhD, Valdis Jonsdottir, to present three papers during the day.
The Nordic region has a long history in conducting well designed and structured research into a variety of vocal issues, particularly with teachers.
Valdis’s research paper was entitled “Prevalence of vocal symptoms in pre-school teachers as compared to other teachers”. The study recognised that a considerable number of voice users suffer from voice problems either due to the nature of their job or unsuitable workplace environment. In Iceland (as in the UK) there is no specific ‘Occupational Health Standards’ legislation to protect the voice as an occupational tool.
The Icelandic experience for teachers is very similar to that found in the UK:
• Limited or no voice workshops for teachers in initial training
• Limited or no ongoing training once teachers start in their profession
• Poor environment in many schools – noise, acoustics, humidity, heat, number of pupils etc
Previous studies had shown that teachers are one of the most at-risk professions (Verdolini and Ramig 2001). One fifth to one third of teachers are absent from work as a result of voice
problems during a working year (Smith et al 1997). In the USA it was calculated to cost $2.5BN!! annually (Verdolini and Ramig 2001). The Icelandic study measured noise and reverberation time in the
classrooms. The teachers carried a meter (Cirrus Dose Badge LD700) on their shoulders during the 8 hour day. The study concluded that
• Pre-school teachers suffered more vocal issues than other teacher
• It was worse during their working day, ie not at weekends or on holiday, indicating it is an ‘occupational’ hazard
• Vocal issues were worse where the environment was seen to be less favourable
The principal conclusion was that LEGISLATION should be brought in to protect high vocally loaded occupations and that Building Regulations should improve acoustics and the teaching environment