Objective: The prevalence and participatory impact of vocal fatigue have been extensively characterized in occupational voice users such as schoolteachers. However, few studies have attempted to assess the prevalence and effects of this condition in a vocally naïve, non-treatment-seeking population.

Methods: Responses to a battery of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were gathered from vocally naïve, non-treatment-seeking undergraduate and online, crowdsourced samples. A total of 560 responses were analyzed after data quality screening. Vocal fatigue prevalence was estimated based on published Vocal Fatigue Index thresholds; additionally, associations between vocal fatigue severity, communicative quality of life, and social participation were examined.

Results: Vocal fatigue over published thresholds was reported by 21.7% of the sample: 3.6% for Factor 1 alone (Effort and Avoidance), 8.9% for Factor 2 alone (Pain and Discomfort), and 9.3% for both Factors 1 and 2. Analysis of Factor 3 was not performed due to poor response reliability. Vocal fatigue severity was strongly and inversely correlated with measures of activity- and participation-level health, among other commonly used PROMS.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that symptoms of elevated vocal fatigue are common even among those without occupational vocal demands or a history of voice treatment. The data reveal complex interactions between vocal fatigue and social participation, highlighting how vocal issues can affect overall health.