RELEASE DATE: September 2, 1997 (Embargoed)
CONTACT:
Kenneth Satterfield
(703) 519-1563
(415) 978-3504 (9/5/97-9/10/97)
Email: [email protected]
SOUND OFF!
NEW STUDY REVEALS THAT SOME ARMY DRILL INSTRUCTORS
ABUSE THEIR VOCAL CORDS, RESULTING IN
PERMANENT CHANGES IN VOICE
SAN FRANCISCO -- A new study conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Army indicates that a number of U.S. Army drill instructors have a permanent change in their voices as the result of abusing their vocal cords. This research finding is being presented by Eric A. Mann, MD, of Rockville, MD.
The results of the research were presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation which is being held at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA on September 7-10, 1997. The meeting is the largest gathering for otolaryngologists, physicians who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck.
Methodology: To document acute vocal abuse, some 42 drill sergeants from Fort Jackson, S.C., underwent video stroboscopic exams and serial voice recordings. A baseline of the voice for each drill instructor was established, followed by a two week rest period. Then the drill instructor's voice was tested daily for the first five days of the new recruit training cycle. Interviews of the subjects were also conducted.
Results: The research revealed the following:
(1) The majority of drill instructors showed increased redness, swelling, and irregularity of the vocal cords over the five day training period. Despite these changes, most were able to maintain a relatively normal voice quality as documented by computer analysis of voice recordings.
(2) A subgroup of drill instructors demonstrated particularly marked changes in vocie quality and vocal cord appearance. In particular, there appeared to be a significant association of smoking with the development of voice changes over the exercise.
A recommendation was made that efforts to prevent voice disorders should be directed towards educating the drill instructors in the proper use of their voice (by the use of diaphragmatic breathing, neck muscle relaxation techniques) and the avoidance of smoking.
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(Editor's Note: For additional information regarding this research and the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting, contact Ken Satterfield at (703) 519-1563 or at the annual meeting newsroom, (415) 978-3504).
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