Orofacial and Voice Problems in Wind Instrument Players

Sunday, 7:15am to 8:15am
Salon C
SP64
Knowledge of occupational voice disorders in teachers, coaches, cheerleaders and others has gained increased importance in the past decade, and instrument players are a specific group of individuals that present intensive use of the vocal tract associated with blowing their instruments. Given the scarce literature on voice and orofacial problems of wind instrument players, the purpose of the study was to explore these problems in 20 adult musicians, recruited from area churches and schools. The participants filled out a survey on vocal health followed by a quick orofacial exam. A videostroboscopy exam was performed to visualize the vocal folds and the supralaryngeal structures. They also provided voice and speech samples for perceptual and acoustic voice analyses. Results and discussion are geared toward documentation and understanding of specific orofacial and voice problems in the musicians and creating awareness of these problems in order to provide preventive care.
Track: 
Adult