Risk Factors for Hyperfunctional Voice Disorders Among Teachers

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of voice problems among teachers, and identify risk factors for developing voice pathology. In this study we evaluated 448 teachers (400 females and 48 males) between the age range of 25 to 55 years, from primary school as well as secondary school which were selected randomly. A questionnaire was given to them to find out how many of them had a voice problem. All the positive cases were further evaluated by an Otorhinolaryngologist, an Audiologist and a Speech Language Pathologist. Out of the 448 teachers, 39 of them(9%) had an indication of voice disorder based on the positive respose got from the questionnaire. Among the 39 cases identified 11 were males (28%) and 28 were females (71%). We tried to investigate on the factors that would have contributed to voice problem in the identified 9% of cases .Detailed history was taken and was examined by an otorhinolaryngologist, an audiologist and a Speech Language Pathologist.Out of the 39 cases identified 26% had history of recurrent allergic rhinitis and laryngitis, 18% had sinusitis and post nasal drip, 18% had asthma, 26% had gastoesophageal reflux disorder, (8%) had minimal sensori neural hearing loss and hypothyroidism was found in 8%. Interaction of multiple factors like hereditory, behavioral, lifestyle, medical and environmental can contribute to voice disorders in occupational voice users. Teachers need to be educated regarding vocal mechanism, vocal hygiene and effective voice use , dust free and noise free work environment, diet modification like drinking adequate water, avoiding spicy and deep fried food, regularizing meals and avoiding sleeping immediately after food. The underlying medical issues like allergy, sinusitis, laryngitis, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux, hearing loss etc also need to be addressed , since vocal hygiene alone will not help until and unless the underlying cause is taken care of

Speech Intelligibility in Patients with T1 and T2 Cancers of the Oral Tongue Treated by Wide Excision and Primary Closure 184 LANGUAGE IN INDIA Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow Speech Intelligibility in Patients with T1 and T2 Cancers of th

Abstract Aim: Glossectomy can affect tongue mobility and impairment of speech. Aim of the study was to measure speech intelligibility preoperatively and post operatively in patients with T1 and T2 cancers of oral tongue who have undergone wide excision and primary closure. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with T1 and T2 cancers of the oral tongue treated by wide excision and primary closure between the ages of 50 to 70 years were taken up for the study. Two of the patients were females and 10 of them were males. All of them had Malayalam as their mother tongue. Speech samples were recorded preoperatively (2-3 days before surgery) and four weeks post operatively. Results: The results revealed that though there was a difference between preoperative and postoperative perceptual analysis of both vowels, consonants, words and passage, the differences were significant only for the passage. Conclusion: Patients with T1 and T2 cancers of oral tongue who have undergone wide excision and primary closure showed better intelligibility scores at phoneme level and word level eve

LANGUAGE IN INDIA Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow Language Learning Disability in Identical Twins

Abstract The present study reveals the details of a pair of identical twins with idioglossia and Language Learning disability .The children were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team consisting of an Otorhinolaryngologist, Neurologist, Audiologist, Speech Language Pathologist and Psychologist. Both children showed idioglossia, a history of delayed speech and language milestones, misarticulations and dysgraphia. There was an association between their misarticulations and the spelling errors. It is suggested that oral production is essential for later writing skills to develop. Both the children had exceptionally good skills in Mathematics. Early identification and intervention of twins with language delay is crucial