Background: Approximately one-third of the global work force requires the integrity of the voice in order to work efficiently. Voice disorders often result in changes in vocal quality, loudness, and pitch. This disruption can inhibit an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. While voice problems of singers, professional speakers, and teachers, have been well studied, voice issues of pastors, priests, and other various clergy have not been extensively evaluated. Objectives: The purpose of this research is to identify various factors [...]

Background: The term vocal cord dysfunction has been used by clinicians to describe a variety of conditions including paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder (PVFM). There has been prior documentation of a relationship of mental health issues, primarily anxiety, and PVFM. As a result of this information our clinical practice began incorporating mental health screening tools into our assessments for patients diagnosed with PVFM. The tools used in our practice include the Life Events Checklist (LEC) and the PTSM [...]

Background: Approximately one-third of the global work force requires good voice function in order to work efficiently. Voice Disorders are typically caused by disruptive structural changes in the vocal cords of the larynx (voice box). The changes can affect loudness, pitch, projection, and overall of quality thereby impairing an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. Teachers have previously been identified as a group of voice professionals for whom the risk of voice disorders is high. Moreover, some research suggests [...]

Background: Symptoms of Voice Disorders involve a disruption in the loudness, pitch, and/or quality of an individual’s voice when attempting to talk or sing. This disruption may result in an inability to communicate effectively. Pain, increased effort to create sound, and fatigue are symptoms that accompany voice difficulties. Although there are well-validated instruments for measuring sound impairment (acoustic and aerodynamic measures) and functional problems of the voice system, the degree to which pain, effort, and fatigue contribute to [...]