INTRODUCTION: Voice is teachers' main tool and demands an accurate adaptation of the phonation organs. Teachers' unawareness of dysphonia in our region lead to this survey. OBJECTIVES: Assess frequency of dysphonia in elementary public school teachers from Maceió, state of Alagoas, Brazil, and identify symptoms associated to vocal complaints and possible risk factors for changes in voice. METHODOLOGY: Transversal study with 126 teachers selected randomly, who have been assessed through interviews, and structured questionnaires in 2008. RESULTS: From 126 teachers assessed, 87,3% reported dysphonia. A relation between weekly working hours and dysphonia (p=0,0038) was observed. In relation to work environment, dust and air dryness were the most reported complaints, both showing significant association (p<0,04). Nasal obstruction, itching, cough, and dyspepsia were the symptoms related to hoarseness. There was no association between dysphonia and smoking, either active or passive (p<0,6). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of vocal problems in the studied group, and dysphonia in teaching activity is related to environmental factors, as well as to clinical symptoms associated to allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux.
voice; dysphonia; teacher; occupational health
