Autopercepción vocal de los docentes de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Sede Cuenca en las áreas de Ciencias de la Vida y Sociales. Cuenca. 2025 - 2026

Abstract

Background: University teachers' vocal perception is essential for addressing the frequency of vocal disorders. Various studies show that many teachers are unaware of their vocal function and self-perception, and often underestimate the severity of their voice problems. Inaccurate self-perception, coupled with improper vocal use, can negatively impact long-term professional well-being. Objective: To determine the vocal self-perception of teachers at the Salesian Polytechnic University in Cuenca in the areas of Life and Social Sciences in the period 2025- 2026. Methods: A descriptive-transversal study was conducted with 85 teachers in the Life and Social Sciences areas, in which a survey was administered to collect data, and a subjective evaluation, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), was performed. The results were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 85 teachers surveyed, the majority were female (57.6%, 49), while males accounted for 42.4% (36). In the VHI-30 assessment, the prevalence is 49.5% for mild vocal impairment and 3.5% for severe vocal impairment. The subscale with the highest prevalence is the emotional subscale, at 53.1%, compared with the functional subscale at 48.2%. Conclusions: The findings confirmed a higher percentage of mild vocal alteration, predominantly in females, with greater alteration on the emotional scale.