Voice Changes Related to Perceived Indoor Air Quality in Finnish Teachers: A Proof-of-Concept Field Study

This study explored the relationship between perceived indoor air quality and self-reported voice symptoms among teachers. While no significant clinical voice changes were observed during the workday, poorer perceived indoor air quality and longer exposure times were associated with increased voice symptoms. The findings suggest a subjective association between indoor air quality and vocal well-being, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies and occupational health follow-up for teachers with persistent voice problems.

Teachers often report voice problems and concerns about the quality of indoor air in schools. This study investigated whether teachers who perceived the indoor air quality as poor also experienced more voice symptoms during their workday. Although no clear clinical changes in voice quality were found, teachers who rated the indoor air quality as poorer reported more voice-related symptoms, especially after longer exposure during the day. The study suggests that perceived indoor air quality may affect vocal well-being, but it does not show that indoor air quality directly causes voice problems. Further research is needed to better understand these relationships and to support teachers with persistent voice difficulties.

Poorer perceived indoor air quality was associated with increased self-reported voice symptoms among teachers.
Longer daily exposure in the classroom was linked to greater worsening of voice symptoms during the workday.
No significant clinical voice changes were detected, suggesting that the observed association was primarily based on symptom perception rather than objective voice measures.