Nurgazali ., Anggi Resina Putri, Wiwik Setyaningsih

Profil Symptomatic Voice Problem Pada Terapis Wicara di Rumah Sakit Wilayah Sumatera

Introduction

Profil symptomatic voice problem pada terapis wicara di rumah sakit wilayah sumatera . Telusuri profil masalah suara simptomatik pada terapis wicara di rumah sakit Sumatera. Studi ini menemukan sebagian besar mengalami gangguan ringan, menyoroti pentingnya kebersihan vokal & kompetensi profesional.

Abstract

This study examines voice problems among speech therapists as professionals who rely on vocal function in clinical practice. The study aims to map the profile of symptomatic voice problems and identify determining factors among speech therapists in Sumatran hospitals. The research design employed a descriptive quantitative approach with a cross-sectional method. The sampling technique applied purposive sampling involving 70 respondents from a total population of 161 therapists. Data collection used the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire with descriptive statistical analysis and non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The findings revealed an average VHI score of 12.86 (SD=10.653) with 91.4% of participants in the no impairment to mild impairment category. Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between variables of voice use duration, noisy work environment, speaking patterns, throat clearing frequency, and caffeine consumption with VHI scores (p-value > 0.05). However, a trend of increasing VHI scores was observed among therapists working in noisy environments, those with loud speaking habits, and frequent throat clearing. Professional expertise and optimal vocal hygiene practices are suspected to be the main protective factors in maintaining voice health among speech therapists in the Sumatra region. Overall, speech therapists in Sumatran hospitals generally do not experience serious symptomatic voice problems. Professional competence and vocal hygiene implementation are presumed to be dominant protective factors. It is recommended that speech therapists maintain vocal hygiene practices, and that institutions conduct regular voice health training.

Review

This study presents a valuable exploration into the prevalence and potential contributing factors of symptomatic voice problems among speech therapists in Sumatran hospitals, a professional group whose vocal health is paramount to their practice. The use of a descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional design, coupled with the well-established Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire, offers an appropriate methodology for profiling vocal health within this specific demographic. The research is timely and relevant, addressing a critical occupational health aspect for individuals whose livelihoods are directly tied to their vocal function, thereby contributing important regional data to the broader literature on occupational voice disorders. The findings reveal a reassuring picture, with the majority of speech therapists (91.4%) experiencing no or only mild voice impairment, reflected by a low average VHI score of 12.86. A significant strength of this study lies in its attempt to identify determining factors; however, it notably found no significant statistical correlation between VHI scores and commonly assumed risk factors such as voice use duration, noisy work environment, speaking patterns, throat clearing frequency, or caffeine consumption. This absence of correlation is a key insight, compelling the authors to hypothesize that professional expertise and optimal vocal hygiene practices serve as crucial protective factors. This hypothesis shifts the focus from external stressors to internal coping mechanisms and proactive health maintenance, offering a fresh perspective on voice preservation in this demanding profession. While the study provides a robust profile, its cross-sectional design inherently limits the ability to establish causal relationships for the "determining factors," and the identified "trends" warrant further investigation through more robust methodologies. Future research could benefit from longitudinal studies to track changes in vocal health and validate the hypothesized protective factors, as well as qualitative approaches to gain deeper insights into the specific vocal hygiene practices employed by these therapists. Incorporating objective voice assessment measures alongside the subjective VHI would also provide a more comprehensive picture of vocal health. Nevertheless, the study's recommendations for maintaining vocal hygiene practices and implementing regular voice health training for speech therapists are practical and well-supported, offering actionable steps for both individuals and institutions to proactively safeguard this vital professional asset.

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