Pilot study on acute voice and throat symptoms related to exposure to organic dust: Preliminary findings from a provocation test

Abstract

The aim of this pilot research was to investigate acute voice and throat symptoms related to organic dust exposure among nine subjects with suspected occupational rhinitis or asthma. Subjective voice and throat symptoms were recorded before and after an occupational exposure test. In addition, the study included perceptual assessment of subjects' voice samples recorded before and after the exposure tests. The results showed a number of (statistically) significant voice and throat changes in symptoms based on subjects' own assessments. These symptoms included a hoarse, husky, or tense voice, requiring an extra effort when speaking and difficulty in starting phonation (P < 0.05). Other significant symptoms included feeling of shortness of breath or the need to gasp for air and feeling that the voice is weak or that it does not resonate (P < 0.01). Such changes were not, however, detected by voice clinicians in the listening test of subjects' voice samples recorded before and after the exposure. These results suggest that the larynx reacts to organic dust with symptoms that are felt by the patient rather than heard by the voice clinician. The voice disorder in such cases is a diagnosis based on symptoms expressed by subjects.

Connections Between Voice Ergonomic Risk Factors and Voice Symptoms, Voice Handicap, and Respiratory Tract Diseases

“…The effects of mold and other organic substances on the respiratory tract have been recognized, 26,27,34 and there is also evidence that these substances affect the voice. 25,31,32 This finding is more worrying as people with occupational laryngitis tend to develop asthma in the long term. 66 However, the teachers with asthma did not have poorer indoor air in their classrooms than those without the disease in our study.…”

“…23 The voice is also affected by indoor air quality, which has been shown to be poor in many European schools. 24 Exposure to organic dust may cause voice symptoms, 25 and organic and chemical impurities trigger allergic or inflammatory reactions in the laryngeal mucous membranes. 26,27 Respiratory allergies, in turn, increase the risk for voice symptoms.…”

Frequência de problemas vocais autorreferidos e fatores ocupacionais associados em professores da educação básica de Londrina, Paraná, Brasil

“…Ainda quanto ao ambiente de trabalho, verificou-se que 28,1% dos professores relataram que são afetados pela exposição a poeiras, 29,8% pelas condições de higiene do seu local de trabalho e também pela exposição a vírus, bactérias, fungos e parasitas (29,3%). Sabe-se que a exposição da laringe a irritantes de mucosa, por exemplo, poeira ou mofo, influencia negativamente o mecanismo vocal 32,33 .…”

Connections between Voice Ergonomic Risk Factors in Classrooms and Teachers’ Voice Production

“…In dry air, in turn, the viscosity and stiffness of the laryngeal mucosa increase [15], the mucosal wave is impaired [16] and the voice range profile narrows [17]. Inorganic [18] and organic dust [19] may cause voice symptoms per se, but may also trigger allergic or inflammatory reactions in the laryngeal mucosa [20]. Dust as a hygroscopic material also increases air dryness.…”