Self-Perception of Voice at Different Moments and Hospitalization for COVID-19: The Influence of Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the self-perception of voice at different times and the influence of age, number of infections, underlying diseases, and occupational voice use among individuals with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with or without a history of hospitalization.

Methods: Data were collected from adults and older adults with COVID-19, treated at a Brazilian Military Hospital between April 2020 and May 2023. The questionnaire was sent by email and a messaging application. The data were analyzed by comparing self-perception of voice at different times and the study variables in the hospitalized and nonhospitalized groups.

Results: The sample comprised 101 individuals. Self-perception of voice quality worsened during COVID-19 in all three age groups, regardless of hospitalization history. Individuals with more than one infection had worse vocal self-perception during COVID-19, regardless of hospitalization. The worsening was greater among individuals with allergies and hearing loss. Arterial hypertension was associated with worsening after COVID-19 in the nonhospitalized group and with better self-perception before COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Reflux was associated with hospitalized patients and worse self-perception of vocal quality at all times. Hospitalized occupational voice users had greater vocal quality improvement after COVID-19.

Conclusions: Regardless of hospitalization and age group, participants self-perceived voice worsening during COVID-19, with a greater decline among hospitalized patients, and a slower recovery among hospitalized older people. More than one infection negatively impacted voice self-perception during COVID-19, and having one infection and no hospitalization was more promising for the voice. Allergies, hearing loss, hypertension, and reflux had an impact on voice self-perception during and/or after COVID-19. Hospitalized occupational voice users had greater vocal quality improvement, whereas nonhospitalized occupational voice users improved more slowly.