聲線護理智能手機及平板電腦應用程式和綠化聲線護理計劃研究結果

為幫助專業人士 (如教師) 培養良好的使用聲線習慣，以預防聲線出現問題，香港大學教育學院言語及聽覺科學部聲線研究所進行了一系列名為「綠化聲線護理計劃」的研究。其中一項研究項目曾於2007至2010年度透過問卷訪問了115位老師。根據聲線障礙測量表的評分，56% 的受訪者患有聲線問題。65%的受訪者表示在受訪前的六個月內患有三個或以上的聲線問題表徵 (例如：喉乾、喉嚨痛、聲音沙啞)。數據顯示增加老師患有聲線問題機會的四大因素為：不良用聲習慣 (如：用力說話、清喉嚨、太高音或太低音說話)、教學年數(年資越淺越容易患有聲線問題)、課堂以外的高聲談話及上呼吸道的病徵(如：哮喘、經常傷風或感冒、胃酸倒流)。另一項研究項目曾到訪過香港248個幼稚園、小學、中學及特殊學校課室作實地測試。研究發現只有7%的課室的聲音與噪音分差能夠達到15分貝，主要原因是課室的環境噪音音量平均超出合適的水平。這種教學環境不但影響教師的聲線健康，還影響學童的學習。

本研究所根據這些因素及香港教室聲浪情況的數據，研發了一套應用於智能手機及平板電腦的「免費聲線護理」程式，以推廣聲線護理計劃，藉以減低出現聲線問題的風險。該程式名為「Your Voice」，適用於繁體、簡體中文及英文。此程式提供了簡單的聲線測試，讓使用者容易地瞭解自己的聲線。程式同時提供一套鬆弛練習，配合短片，使用者可以更清楚地了解整個放鬆過程。最後，使用者可根據自己的生活習慣去制定一套屬於自己的聲線護理計劃，以監察自己每一天的進度。此應用程式適用於iOS及 Anroid平台。

傳媒如有垂詢或作個別採訪安排，請聯絡香港大學教育學院發展及傳訊經理 Ms. Queenie Wong (電話:       2219 4270 / 手機：9220 5840 / 傳真： 2540 6360 / 電郵： qlpwong@hku.hk) 

The Voice Research Laboratory of the Division of Speech & Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU, has conducted a series of studies (entitled Green Voice Project) to determine how best to help professional voice users, like teachers, to develop a good vocal behavior habit in order to prevent developing voice problems. In one of the studies, 115 teachers were interviewed through questionnaires between 2007 and 2010. Based on a standardized questionnaire (Voice Handicap Index), 56% of the interviewed teachers had voice problems and 65% of the teachers reported that they had 3 or more vocal complaints within the past 6 months. The complaints included throat dryness, pain in the throat and hoarse voice. The results of the study suggested that there are four main risk factors for developing voice problems in teachers: inappropriate vocal habits (e.g., forceful speech, throat clearing, speak with too high / too low pitch), years of teaching experience (the fewer the years of experience, the more likely to develop voice problems), use of loud voices outside class and number of upper respiratory tract symptoms (e.g., asthma, frequent cold/flu, reflux). A second study measured the acoustic conditions of 248 classrooms in local kindergartens, primary, secondary and special schools. The study found that only 7% of the classrooms had a signal to noise ratio of 15dB or above. The major reason for the poor ratio is the elevated noise level in most classrooms. This teaching environment not only affects the teachers’ vocal health but also affects how the students learn.

Based on the findings, a Smartphone/Tablet “App” (free) has been developed to promote vocal hygiene in order to prevent the development of voice problems. This application, called “YourVoice”, is available in both iOS (iPhone and iPad versions) and Android (Smartphone and tablet versions) platforms. The app is available in traditional and simplified Chinese, as well as in English. It includes simple voice tests to determine whether you are at risk of developing voice problems, as well as some relaxation exercise with video demonstration and voice protection guidelines. You can design your own voice protection program and chart your progress daily.

For media enquiry and interview request, please contact Ms. Queenie Wong, Development and Communications Manager, Faculty of Education, HKU (Tel: 2219 4270 / mobile: 9220 5840 / fax: 2540 6360 / email: qlpwong@hku.hk)