Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Vocal Health Care Amongst Indian Carnatic Singers

Nasalance, Nasal Airflow and Perceived Nasality in Carnatic Singers and Non-singers

This study aims to compare the nasalance and nasal airflow between professional singers trained in Carnatic classical singing and non-singers. We also aimed to correlate perceived nasality with objective measurements of nasalance and nasal airflow. A total of 40 female participants (20 to 50 years) were involved in this study. The first group comprised 15 female professional Carnatic singers with a minimum of 10 years of classical training. The second group consisted of 25 non-singer females. These participants were compared on nasalance, nasal airflow and perceived nasality across three sets of stimuli (vowels, oral non-words, and nasal non-words) and three pitch-conditions (low, mid, and high). Correlations were also made between objective measures of nasalance and nasal airflow and perceived nasality. Mixed ANOVA showed a significant (P < 0.05) interaction in nasalance between pitch conditions and groups. Group differences were also observed in the nasalance scores of vowels, oral non-words, nasal non-words. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in nasalance with ascending pitch in singers and non-singers. A comparison of aerodynamic analysis of vowels, oral non-words, and nasal non-words between singers and non-singers suggested that nasal airflow was higher in singers. Perceptual nasality was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Carnatic singers than non-singers. Correlations between objective measures of nasalance and nasal airflow and perceived nasality were not observed. Despite an increased airflow, nasality was lower in trained Carnatic singers than non-singers. Current findings suggest that vocal training impacts nasalance, nasal airflow and perceived nasality.

Carnatic Classical Singers' Interest and Knowledge Levels of Vocal Function and Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to determine the interest and knowledge levels of Indian Carnatic classical singers concerning the vocal function and dysfunction.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Self-reporting vocal awareness questionnaire for singers comprising 61 items under nine sections developed by Braum-Janzen and Zeine was adopted and validated to the Carnatic music context. The data was gathered using the snowball sampling method. Each participant spent 10-15 minutes to fill the questionnaire. The 100 participants were divided into two groups based on years of individual singing experience, group 1: Singers with less than 10 years, group 2: Singers with greater than 10 years of individual singing experience.

RESULTS

Few singers reported a thorough understanding in all areas except anatomy and physiology of voice production. As indicated by most of the singers, they were very much interested in expanding their knowledge in (1) the anatomy and physiology of the voice, (2) the role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the voice, (3) the care of the voice, (4) optimal use of the speaking voice, and (5) functional vocal disorders. Further, in both the groups, there was a high number of incorrect and don't know responses. Differences in knowledge levels and interest levels between the two groups were non-significant in all areas (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the high number of incorrect and don't know responses suggest that many Carnatic singers do not have even basic knowledge of vocal function and dysfunction, and could benefit from education in these areas. Hence, SLPs need to develop education programs for Carnatic singers towards vocal function and dysfunction so that the development of voice problems in Carnatic singers can be prevented.

Reliability of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index AVQI and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) when wearing CoViD-19 protective masks

PURPOSE

Investigating whether the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) are valid and comparable to previous unmasked measurements if the speaker wears a surgical mask or a FFP-2 mask to reduce the risk of transmitting air-borne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 31 subjectively healthy participants was subjected to AVQI and ABI voice examination four times: Twice wearing no mask, once with a surgical mask and once with a FFP-2 mask as used regularly in our hospital. The order of the four mask conditions was randomized. The difference in the results between the two recordings without a mask was then compared to the differences between the recordings with each mask and one recording without a mask.

RESULTS

Sixty-two percent of the AVQI readings without a mask represented perfectly healthy voices, the largest AVQI without a mask value was 4.0. The mean absolute difference in AVQI was 0.45 between the measurements without masks, 0.48 between no mask and surgical mask and 0.51 between no mask and FFP-2 mask. The results were neither clinically nor statistically significant. For the ABI the resulting absolute differences (in the same order) were 0.48, 0.69 and 0.56, again neither clinically nor statistically different.

CONCLUSION

Based on a convenience sample of healthy or only mildly impaired voices wearing CoViD-19 protective masks does not substantially impair the results of either AVQI or ABI results.

Vocal Health Care amongst Hindustani Classical Singers- A Mixed Methods, Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present survey was to profile the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards vocal health care amongst Hindustani classical singers.

STUDY DESIGN

Mixed-methods, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

METHODS

A self-reported questionnaire was developed and used to gather data on the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Hindustani classical singers towards vocal health care. An online survey link was generated, and responses were collected from self-identified trained Hindustani classical singers. Descriptive statistics was carried out for the closed-ended questions and inductive approach was used to analyse the responses of open-ended questions.

RESULTS

Ninety-four self-identified trained Hindustani classical singers participated in the study. The responses indicate good knowledge towards vocal health measures and positive attitudes towards vocal health care. The open-ended responses were analysed using an inductive approach. Although, 70% were aware about role of a speech language pathologist, only 9.7% reported of consulting one in the event of voice problem. Further, 70% singers reported of following precautions to avoid voice problems while 85.1% considered voice rest as necessary before a performance. The singers reported of using home remedies, vocal and non-vocal measures as a part of vocal health measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study helps to profile the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards vocal health care amongst Hindustani classical singers. It also helps to provide a basis for further studies to establish an empirical basis for the reported practices towards vocal health care.