Impaired Voice-Related Work Productivity, a Functional Effect of Gender Dysphoria

Treatment for vocal gender dysphoria has historically been considered cosmetic due, in part, to the lack of anatomic or neurologic vocal pathology. Treatment of other anatomically typical conditions is considered reconstructive when there is an associated functional impairment, but this case has not been made in vocal gender dysphoria. This study aims to identify functional impairment associated with vocal gender dysphoria, specifically impairment in voice related work productivity.

Cis- and transgender individuals were recruited in a multi-institutional cross-sectional study. Patients with pre-existing vocal pathology were excluded. VHI-10 and WorkHoarse, a measure of voice related work productivity impairment scored between 0, no impairment, and 32, maximal impairment, were obtained.

Fifty cisgender and 50 transgender individuals were recruited. The transgender group included 64% trans women, 10% trans men, and 26% nonbinary or other gender non-conforming individuals. Average VHI-10 and WorkHoarse were higher in the transgender group than in the cisgender group (16.2 vs. 2.7, p < 0.001; and 14.2 vs. 2.1, p < 0.001, respectively). Multiple linear regression controlling for age and volume of voice use at work showed that transgender individuals had a WorkHoarse score 12.4 units higher than cisgender individuals (95% confidence interval 9.7-15.0).

Gender dysphoria is associated with impaired voice related work productivity. This study identifies a functional impairment associated with vocal gender dysphoria, which fulfills one of multiple criteria used to define medically necessary and reconstructive interventions.