Download PDF
Semin Speech Lang 2013; 34(02): 103-115
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1342981
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Association of a Preschool Voice Education Program with Changes in Yelling Frequency

Lauren Marcus
1   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
2   Samaritan Hospital, Troy, New York
,
Barbara Kiernan
1   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
,
Julie M. Barkmeier-Kraemer
1   Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
3   Department of Otolaryngology, Voice, Speech, & Swallowing Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
30 April 2013 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Voice problems in children can occur as early as infancy. Early onset of voice problems can carry social and academic penalties, and negatively affect voice in adolescence or adulthood. Unfortunately, only 1% of school-aged children receive voice therapy despite a 6 to 24% prevalence of voice disorders in school-aged children. One alternative may be to use a classroom-based voice education curriculum to effectively reduce yelling frequency, the most common behavior associated with phonotrauma-related voice problems in children. A classroom-based voice education curriculum was administered to preschool children by the preschool speech-language pathologists in a university-affiliated program. Classroom teachers provided cueing and reinforcement of curriculum strategies for 8 weeks following the program. Baseline frequencies of participant yelling behaviors were compared with postprogram frequencies. Results demonstrated significant reduction in yelling frequencies from pre- to postprogram, particularly in those judged as high-frequency yellers prior to the program. Important factors for future consideration are discussed.

Keywords

Pediatric - voice - education - prevention - preschool
 

  • References

  • 1 Duff MC, Proctor A, Yairi E. Prevalence of voice disorders in African American and European American preschoolers. J Voice 2004; 18: 348-353
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Shah RK, Woodnorth GH, Glynn A, Nuss RC. Pediatric vocal nodules: correlation with perceptual voice analysis. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2005; 69: 903-909
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Carding PNRS, Roulstone S, Northstone K ; ALSPAC Study Team. The prevalence of childhood dysphonia: a cross-sectional study. J Voice 2006; 20: 623-630
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Connor NP, Cohen SB, Theis SM, Thibeault SL, Heatley DG, Bless DM. Attitudes of children with dysphonia. J Voice 2008; 22: 197-209
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 McMurray JS. Disorders of phonation in children. Pediatr Clin North Am 2003; 50: 363-380
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Lee L, Stemple JC, Glaze L, Kelchner LN. Quick screen for voice and supplementary documents for identifying pediatric voice disorders. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2004; 35: 308-319
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Faust RA. Childhood voice disorders: ambulatory evaluation and operative diagnosis. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2003; 42: 1-9
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Merati AL, Keppel K, Braun NM, Blumin JH, Kerschner JE. Pediatric voice-related quality of life: findings in healthy children and in common laryngeal disorders. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2008; 117: 259-262
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Burger LC. The association of a preschool vocal hygiene program with changes in vocal behavior. Unpublished master's thesis. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona; 2004
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Epstein S. Do preschool teachers demonstrate changes in vocal behaviors related to in-class instruction to their students?. Unpublished master's thesis. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona; 2004
    Google Scholar
  • 11 Hooper CR. Treatment of voice disorders in children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2004; 35: 320-326
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Heylen LWF, Wuyts FL, Mertens F , et al. Evaluation of the vocal performance of children using a voice range profile index. J Speech Lang Hear Res 1998; 41: 232-238
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 McNamara AP, Perry CK. Vocal abuse prevention practices: a national survey of school-based speech-language pathologists. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1994; 25: 105-111
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Boone DR, MacFarlane SC, Von Berg SL. The Voice and Voice Therapy, 7th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon; 2005
    Google Scholar
  • 15 Boyle B. Voice disorders in school children. Support Learn 2000; 15: 71-75
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Nilson H, Schneiderman CR. Classroom program for the prevention of vocal abuse and hoarseness in elementary school children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1983; 14: 121-127
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Simões-Zenari M, Nemr K, Behlau M. Voice disorders in children and its relationship with auditory, acoustic and vocal behavior parameters. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2012; 76: 896-900
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Dobres R, Lee L, Stemple JC, Kummer AW, Kretschmer LW. Description of laryngeal pathologies in children evaluated by otolaryngologists. J Speech Hear Disord 1990; 55: 526-532
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Maddern BR, Campbell TF, Stool S. Pediatric voice disorders. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1991; 24: 1125-1140
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Dong M, Hu H, Li J, Fan Y, Qin H, Wang X. [79 cases: a clinical analysis of hoarseness in children]. Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi 1999; 13: 257-258
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Cook JV, Palaski DJ, Hanson WR. A vocal hygiene program for school-age children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1979; 10: 21-26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Flynn PT. Speech-language pathologists and primary prevention: from ideas to action. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1983; 14: 99-104
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Sander EK. Arguments against the aggressive pursuit of voice therapy for children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1989; 20: 94-101
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Andrews M, Summers AC. Voice Treatment for Children and Adolescents. Unpublished master's thesis. San Diego, CA: Singular; 2002
    Google Scholar
  • 25 Kimelman M. The effect of puberty on vocal cord nodules in males. In: Communication Disorders. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida; 1980
    Google Scholar
  • 26 Håkansson BAK. P. Do hoarse children get voice problems in adulthood?. Acta Otolaryngol 1984; 412: 43-45
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 McCrory E. Voice therapy outcomes in vocal fold nodules: a retrospective audit. Int J Lang Commun Disord 2001; 36 (Suppl) 19-24
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Saniga RD, Carlin MF. Vocal abuse behaviors in young children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1993; 24: 79-83
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Lass NJ, Ruscello DM, Bradshaw KH, Blankenship BL. Adolescents' perceptions of normal and voice-disordered children. J Commun Disord 1991; 24: 267-274
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Ruddy BH, Sapienza CM. Treating voice disorders in the school-based setting: working within the framework of IDEA. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2004; 35: 327-332
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Wilson DK. Voice Problems of Children, 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins Co; 1987
    Google Scholar
  • 32 Kahane JC, Mayo R. The need for aggressive pursuit of healthy childhood voices. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1989; 20: 102-107
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 ASHA. 2006 Schools Survey Report: Caseload Characteristics. Rockville, MD: 2006
    Google Scholar
  • 34 Oyer HJ, Crowe BJ, Haas WH. Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders: A Guide for the Teacher. San Diego, CA: College-Hill Press; 1987
    Google Scholar
  • 35 Pindzola RH. Materials for use in vocal hygiene programs for children. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 1993; 24: 174-176
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Pelegrín-García D, Brunskog J. Speakers' comfort and voice level variation in classrooms: laboratory research. J Acoust Soc Am 2012; 132: 249-260
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar