Work-related communicative profile of radio broadcasters: a case study

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the short-term effect of work-related voice use on voice function, and noise exposure on hearing function among radio broadcasters.

Method: A 1-week follow-up study with the participation of two radio broadcasters was conducted. Participants were monitored at the beginning and at the end of the working week. Premonitoring assessment on Monday (baseline measure) and postmonitoring assessment on Friday (follow-up measure) were performed to identify short-term effects of work-related conditions on voice and hearing function among radio broadcasters.

Result: Changes in fundamental frequency postmonitoring at the end of the work week may be an indication of work-related vocal fatigue. Changes in the distribution and standard deviation of SPL during the monitoring from Monday to Friday may indicate control of the vocal loudness as a strategy to reduce vocal effort during broadcasting. During a 1-week follow-up, noise conditions during radio broadcasting were below occupational exposure limits and without noticeable consequences on hearing function.

Conclusion: The work-related communicative profile of radio broadcasting, from this pilot study, suggests that although vocal demands in terms of vocal load may differ among broadcasters, the work-related conditions of broadcasting may play a role on vocal function among these occupational voice users. Concerning hearing function, our results indicate that occupational noise exposure represented minimal risk for hearing problems but the consequences of long-term noise exposure on hearing mechanisms may yet occur. Future studies with bigger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our results.

Keywords:

• Occupational voice users
• broadcasters
• work-related communication problems
• voice
• hearing

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor change. This change do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgements

The authors report no conflicts of interest. Thank you to the subjects who participated in this study. The authors warmly thank Peter Whorf for his support in the development of this research. Thanks to Dr. Kristine Tanner of Brigham Young University for the use of the Ambulatory Phonation Monitor.

Disclosure statement

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

The research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 5R01DC01231505.

Notes on contributors

Lady Catherine Cantor-Cutiva

Lady Catherine Cantor-Cutiva, Pasquale Bottalico and Eric Hunter participated in the design of the study, data collection, data analysis, and writing of the paper.