Voice handicap index in singers.

Area of Science:

• Vocal health and communication sciences
• Otolaryngology and speech pathology

Background:

• The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is a validated tool for assessing patient-reported voice disorder severity.
• Understanding the perceived handicap in professional voice users, like singers, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the degree of voice handicap experienced by professional and recreational presenters with voice complaints.
• To compare the VHI scores between singers and nonsingers presenting with voice symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 106 singers and 369 nonsingers with voice symptoms.
• Administration of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to all participants to assess perceived voice handicap.
• Analysis of VHI scores based on professional status (singer vs. nonsinger), vocal fold pathology, and music genre.

Main Results:

• Singers reported significantly lower (less severe) voice handicap scores on the VHI compared to nonsingers.
• Singers with vocal fold nodules showed lower mean VHI scores than those with vocal fold cysts or polyps.
• Classical music singers exhibited the lowest mean VHI scores among all singer subgroups studied.

Conclusions:

• Despite potential vocal pathologies, singers generally perceive their voice handicap as less severe than nonsingers.
• A low VHI score in singers may indicate a significant underlying voice problem that should not be underestimated.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering professional voice use when interpreting VHI results in singers.