Immediate Effects and 1‐Year Maintenance of a Voice Education Program for Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Our voice can deteriorate with ageing. Vocal hygiene is useful and effective in maintaining a healthy voice regardless of age. AIM: This study investigated the immediate effects and 1-year maintenance of a voice education program on promoting voice care for older adults. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Thirty-five participants aged over 55 were recruited. They participated in a weekly 1-h voice education workshop for four consecutive weeks. Their responses on the 17-statement questionnaire were collected before the program began, immediately after, and 1 year after the program was completed to assess change in their voice care knowledge. Upon completion of the program, their satisfaction with the program was reflected by an 8-item satisfaction survey. A semi-structured group interview was conducted to investigate their attitudes towards implementing voice care practice. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Immediate significant improvements in voice care knowledge were shown, with fair maintenance 1 year after the program had completed. Most participants showed satisfaction towards the program. The analysis of verbatim transcripts revealed participants' positive attitudes towards the implementation of voice care practice in their daily lives. Facilitators in the program that contributed to their improvements in voice care knowledge were identified. Barriers that hindered their learning were also identified, and the relevant solutions were proposed to address the barriers. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The results provide empirical data to support the use of a voice education program to enhance older adults' voice care knowledge. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Our voice can deteriorate with ageing. Vocal hygiene is useful and effective in maintaining a healthy voice regardless of age. What this paper adds to existing knowledge We found that participating older adults were not well-equipped with voice care knowledge. Before training, less than half of the participants could correctly identify the negative factors such as throat clearing, whispering and breathing through mouth. The study offers empirical data on the immediate effects and 1-year maintenance of a voice education program on older adults' voice care knowledge. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This paper suggests that a voice education program is useful to improve voice care knowledge in older adults.