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Effect of Wearing a Face Mask on Vocal Self-Perception during a Pandemic

ABSTRACT: Objective To analyze the vocal self-perception of individuals who wore face masks for essential activities and those who wore them for professional and essential activities during the coronavirus disease pandemic. Materials and Methods This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The study included 468 individuals who were stratified into two groups: the Working Group, comprising individuals who wore face masks for professional and essential activities during the pandemic; and the Essential Activities Group, with individuals who wore face masks only for essential activities during the pandemic. The outcome measures tested were self-perception of vocal fatigue, vocal tract discomfort, vocal effort, speech intelligibility, auditory feedback, and coordination between speech and breathing. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results Face masks increased the perception of vocal effort, difficulty in speech intelligibility, auditory feedback, and difficulty in coordinating speech and breathing, irrespective of usage. Individuals who wore face masks for professional and essential activities had a greater perception of symptoms of vocal fatigue and discomfort, vocal effort, difficulties in speech intelligibility, and in coordinating speech and breathing. Conclusion Use of face masks increases the perception of vocal symptoms and discomfort, especially in individuals who wore it for professional and essential activities.

SUBMITTER: Ribeiro V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7527314 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ObjectivesCOVID-19 is an infectious disease spreading through respiratory droplets. Using a face mask correctly is one of the essential preventive measures. We launched a survey to discover the current face mask-wearing problems for better prevention and control of the pandemic.Setting/participantsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 1240 residents in Shanghai during 18-28 February 2020. Stratified random sampling was adopted in the urban area, urban-rural fringe area and rural area. A mobile self-designed questionnaire was used.Main outcome measuresAnalysis of the demographic and sociological factors influencing residents' face mask type selection, disposable surgical mask-wearing behaviour, replacement time and the storage method for reuse of disposable surgical masks.ResultsThe accuracy of residents' face mask type selection was rated 41.61% (513/1233), and that of urban-rural fringe residents, low-education residents, elderly residents, were low, respectively (p<0.001). 96.67% of residents always wore face masks in crowded public places. Multiple-factor analysis showed that region, gender and education level were the influencing factors for entirely fitting the disposable surgical mask to the face. Region was an influencing factor for not touching the mask's external surface while wearing or removing it. Education level was an influencing factor for recognising the external and inner mask surface, upper and lower edge of a disposable surgical mask. The accuracy of the mask replacement time was 25.63% (316/1223). It was low with elderly, low-education residents, respectively (p<0.001).The accuracy of residents' storage method for reuse of disposable surgical mask was 3.81% (47/1233), and region, age and education level were influencing factors.ConclusionsShanghai residents recorded a high rate of wearing face masks. Selection of an appropriate type of face mask, disposable surgical mask-wearing behaviour, replacement time and storage method for reuse of disposable surgical masks should be particularly emphasised in future behaviour change interventions.

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Effect of Wearing a Face Mask on Vocal Self-Perception during a Pandemic

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