Vocal Underdoer Syndrome
Vocal underdoer syndrome is a term coined by Dr. Anat Keidar and Dr. Robert Bastian to designate an individual whose amount and manner of voice use can be considered inadequate to keep the mechanism in good condition.
Typically, the vocal underdoer syndrome comprises two parts:
- Innate introversion/taciturnity;
- A life circumstance that permits, invites, or demands very little voice use.
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Vocal Underdoer – Overdoer Continuum | Understanding Proper Voice Use
What is the Vocal Under-Doer and Vocal Over-Doer Continuum? Why is it an important concept for everyone interested in the voice (voice teachers, speech pathologists, voice doctors, singers, actors, etc.)? Because it provides critical insights into understanding and responding to potential voice disorders or risk of developing voice disorders.
Dr. Bastian’s 7-point “talkativeness scale” allows individuals to rate and become self-aware of their level of talkativeness and sociability.
“Vocal under-doers” may currently have, or eventually develop conditions such as vocal weakness, vocal inconfidence, and vocal fatigue.
On the other hand, “vocal over-doers” are more at risk than the average person of vocal cord injuries such as nodules and polyps. A “curriculum” is suggested by Dr. Bastian for persons on each end of the under-doer / over-doer continuum.
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