PREVALENCE OF SINGING VOICE DIFFICULTIES AMONGST THE SINGERS OF AHMEDABAD CITY: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Vollständiger Abstract

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Objective: Singing requires precise coordination of respiration, phonation, resonance, and vocal control. Prolonged and repetitive vocal demands may lead to singing voice difficulties, including vocal fatigue, hoarseness, throat discomfort, reduced vocal range, and decreased vocal endurance, potentially affecting singing performance and vocal health. Limited information is available regarding singing voice difficulties among singers in Ahmedabad city. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of singing voice difficulties among singers of Ahmedabad city and describe their vocal characteristics. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among singers residing in Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, India. Data were collected through an online Google Form incorporating the Evaluation of Ability to Sing Easily (EASE) scale in both English and Gujarati, along with demographic, singing-related, and healthrelated information. The survey link was distributed through social media networks and remained accessible for 8 weeks. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained electronically before completion of the questionnaire. Results: Data from 93 singers were analysed. The mean age of participants was 23.15 ± 4.87 years. The overall mean EASE score was 39.58 ± 10.53, with mean sub scale scores of 20.14 ± 4.82 for Vocal Fatigue and 19.41 ± 6.44 for the Pathological risk indicator. Conclusion: Singing voice difficulties were evident among singers in Ahmedabad city. The findings emphasize the importance of early identification, vocal-health education, and preventive strategies to promote healthy and sustainable singing performance. Keywords: Singing voice difficulties; Singers; Vocal health; Vocal fatigue; Singing voice; Voice disorders; Prevalence.