How can technology assist occupational voice users?

Abstract

Summary

The voice is an important tool for people who use it daily in their occupations. However, what technological options are available to such individuals to allow them to monitor or take care of their voices?

Objective

The purpose of this study is to answer two research questions: (1) What technologies exist to monitor or take care of the voice in occupational voice users? (2) What is the technology readiness level (TRL) of the technologies used to monitor or take care of the voice in occupational voice users?

Data sources

Embase, IEEE, Medline, Proquest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science,

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted. Articles that reported results regarding technologies (hardware, software, or mobile apps) that were used to monitor or take care of the voice in occupational voice users were included.

Results

After reviewing 4581 abstracts, 10 full text studies were included in the literature review. The technologies found include 30% hardware, 30% hardware plus software, and 50% mobile apps, with an overall TRL mean of 5.3 (SD = 2.3).

Conclusion

Further research is necessary for higher validity in the studies and to increase the readiness in the development of current technologies to offer more options for this population.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The evidence for the impact of the use of the technologies for occupational voice users is still low

• There is emerging evidence that mobile apps and artificial intelligence algorithms can be used to investigate vocal disorders or potential risks in occupational voice users

• More research is required to increase the readiness developmental stage of current technologies for occupational voice users

Keywords:

• Occupational voice
• technology
• voice care
• systematic review

Acknowledgements

The authors thank to Biomedical engineering program of School of Medicine and Health Sciences of Universidad del Rosario to fund this work.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financing for the Biomedical Engineering Program of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. [grant No. 032019-20].