A study has shown that about 33 percent teachers in Riyadh are complaining about voice related problems, local media said quoting the results of a recently released survey.

Addressing an educational forum, Dr. Khalid Al-Maliki, associate professor of voice and throat disorders at King Saud University, cited a number of reasons which could lead to voice problems including smoking and throat diseases.

Dr. Abdulrahman Kattan, a laryngologist said that chronic stress on the voice box affects the vocal cords causing inflammation which can only be corrected through medication or surgery.

“Some people talk for hours on end (especially teachers) putting stress on their vocal cords and lungs making it hard to breathe,” he said.

“A hidden problem associated with abdominal fluids which rise to the chest causing heartburn is also a major issue,” said Kattan.

Meanwhile, Mubarak Al-Ossaimi, spokesman of the Ministry of Education said the ministry will closely study the research papers presented in the forum.

“The primary goal of this exhibition is to attract studies and research which the ministry is benefitting from in terms of the papers presented which will finally serve the interests of education in the Kingdom,” Al-Ossaimi said.