A Comparison of Voice Disorder Types and Voice-Related Handicap Levels Among Islamic Clergy and Other Professional...

This study aims to compare the types and rates of vocal pathology and the levels of voice-related handicap between Islamic clergy and other professional voice users in Türkiye. The study design was retrospective and included 97 level 2 professional voice users aged 18-65 years who consulted the clinic with complaints of voice disorders. We examined demographic data, vocal complaints, vocal fold pathologies, smoking habits, reflux complaints, and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) scores of the participants who met the inclusion criteria. Of these participants, 55 were Islamic clergy and 42 were other level 2 voice professionals, including teachers, call center workers, and receptionists. Age and smoking status did not differ significantly between the groups; however, Islamic clergy reported more reflux complaints. While muscle tension dysphonia was the most common pathology in Group 1 (Islamic clergy), vocal fold nodules were the most common in Group 2 (teachers, call center workers, and receptionists). Islamic clergy exhibited significantly higher VHI-10 scores compared to other level 2 professional voice users, suggesting more severe voice problems with a greater negative impact on clergy daily functioning. The findings suggest that Islamic clergy with voice disorders perceive a higher level of voice handicap, possibly due to their unique patterns of occupational voice use (e.g., mosque music) and the emotional, occupational, and financial consequences of impaired vocal performance in this population.