Development of Public Education Material in Tamil for Professional Voice Users (PVUs) –Teachers, Singers and Radio Jockeys

Abstract

Professional Voice Users (PVUs), refers to the all those individuals who depend on “their voice” to satisfy their professional needs such as teachers, actors, singers and RJs (Stemple, 1993). Occupational/profession related voice usage along with inappropriate vocal behaviours, have high potential to incline an individual towards vocal misuse, abuse and eventually to voice disorders which in turn have a negative impact on their professional and personal life (Hazlett et al., 2011). Thus, there is a high need to create and increase awareness and knowledge among Professional Voice Users, related to vocal health and voice care. This study aims at developing a vocal health related public education material for PVUs with special focus on Teachers, Singers and Radio Jockeys in Tamil language. The Public education material, was formulated based on the literature evidence and knowledge and understanding obtained from the Professional Voice Users belonging to the focus group. Suggestions from the PVUs (three teachers, one from singers and one radio jockey) were incorporated. In addition, suggestions were obtained from a Speech Language Pathologist and Otolaryngologist and incorporated. Finally, spelling, semantic and syntactic appropriateness was verified and ensured by language expert. The linguistically and culturally sensitive public education material, thus developed in this study, for PVUs can be utilized in both prevention and management of voice disorders, among PVUs in general and convergently for Teachers, Singers and Radio Jockeys. The active response received from the PVUs, by means of their valuable suggestions and queries can be considers as the primary success of this study.