Autopercepción vocal de los docentes de la Unidad Educativa Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. Cuenca. Periodo 2024-2025

Abstract

Background: The human voice is an essential instrument in the professional life of teachers, musicians, singers and announcers, and also performs respiratory and digestive functions. Teachers are at higher risk of vocal problems like nodules, polyps, Reinke’s edema, or laryngeal whiplash, which may affect their professional performance. The Voice handicap Index (VHI) is an assessment tool used to measure the impact of voice problems on an individual’s quality of life. It is a questionnaire assessing emotional, functional, and physical aspect related to the human voice. General objective: To determine the vocal self-perception of teachers of Estados Unidos de America School (Cuenca), using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) in 2024-2025. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, featuring 58 participants. A data collection questionnaire and the VHI test were used. Data analysis and tabulation was performed using IBM SPSS 29. Results: Thirty-six of 58 participants were females and 22 were males. On the other hand, teachers working eight hours a day reported more vocal problems. Vocal alteration was more common in individuals aged 31 to 40 years. Conclusions: Mild vocal alterations predominate, affecting the physical dimension mainly.