Investigation of Vocal Fatigue, Anxiety Level, and Perceived Communication Skills According To the Purpose of Mask Use During the Pandemic

dc.authorscopusid 58910988500
dc.authorscopusid 55344051800
dc.authorscopusid 15820499300
dc.contributor.author Işık, E.E.
dc.contributor.author Paltura, C.
dc.contributor.author Develioğlu, Ö.N.
dc.date.accessioned 2025-03-10T21:19:13Z
dc.date.available 2025-03-10T21:19:13Z
dc.date.issued 2025
dc.department Fenerbahçe University en_US
dc.department-temp Işık E.E., Hamidiye Faculty of Health Science, Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye; Paltura C., Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Fenerbahçe University, İstanbul, Türkiye; Develioğlu Ö.N., Department of Otorhinolaryngology, İstanbul Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye en_US
dc.description.abstract Objective: The use of face masks during COVID-19 causes communication difficulties. Determining the effects of face masks can provide precautions against possible voice problems. The aim of the study is to determine the difference between vocal fatigue and anxiety levels depending on the use of masks in basic and basic-professional activities. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a descriptive and cross-sectional design. Data were collected between March and May 2021. The study included 476 people aged 18-65 years. Participants were divided into two groups according to the purpose of mask use; “wearing masks only for essential activities” group (EA) and “wearing masks for essential-professional activities” group (EPA). Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Self-Assessment Questions were used in the study. All scales and subjective evaluation questions were transferred to Google Forms. The link was sent to participants living in Turkey with a letter of consent. Results: VFI-Factor 1, VFI-Factor 2, VFI-Factor 3, VFI Total, and BAI scores differed statistically significantly between the groups. VFI and BAI scores of the EPA group were found to be higher. There was a correlation between all factors of VFI and BAI scores. According to the results of regression analysis, it was found that the purpose of mask use and BAI score increased the VFI score. When the EPA group was masked, their results on respiratory control abilities, auditory perception, and speech intelligibility were shown to be lower. Conclusion: Regardless of the purpose of use, face masks have been found to reduce speech intelligibility, auditory feedback, and the ability to maintain breath control while speaking. The findings of our study suggest that longer mask use may increase the VFI score. © 2025 The Voice Foundation en_US
dc.identifier.doi 10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.01.008
dc.identifier.issn 0892-1997
dc.identifier.scopus 2-s2.0-85217968502
dc.identifier.scopusquality Q2
dc.identifier.uri https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.01.008
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14627/868
dc.identifier.wosquality Q2
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Elsevier Inc. en_US
dc.relation.ispartof Journal of Voice en_US
dc.relation.publicationcategory Makale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı en_US
dc.rights info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess en_US
dc.scopus.citedbyCount 0
dc.subject Anxiety—Face Mask—Pandemic—Vocal Fatigue—Voice en_US
dc.title Investigation of Vocal Fatigue, Anxiety Level, and Perceived Communication Skills According To the Purpose of Mask Use During the Pandemic en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dspace.entity.type Publication

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