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Research Article
August 1997

The Voice Handicap Index (VHI): Development and Validation

Publication: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 6, Number 3
Pages 66-70

Abstract

To date, no instruments exist to quantify the psychosocial consequences of voice disorders. The aim of the present investigation was the development of a statistically robust Voice Handicap Index (VHI). An 85-item version of this instrument was administered to 65 consecutive patients seen in the Voice Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital. The data were subjected to measures of internal consistency reliability and the initial 85-item version was reduced to a 30-item final version. This final version was administered to 63 consecutive patients on two occasions in an attempt to assess test-retest stability, which proved to be strong. The findings of the latter analysis demonstrated that a change between two administrations of 18 points represents a significant shift in psychosocial function.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume 6Number 3August 1997
Pages: 66-70

History

  • Received: Feb 14, 1996
  • Accepted: Feb 10, 1997
  • Published in issue: Aug 1, 1997

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Keywords

  1. voice disorders
  2. assessment
  3. self-perceived handicap

Authors

Affiliations

Barbara H. Jacobson
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Alex Johnson
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Cynthia Grywalski
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Alice Silbergleit
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Gary Jacobson
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Michael S. Benninger
Henry Ford Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Detroit, MI
Craig W. Newman
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Notes

Contact author: Barbara H. Jacobson, PhD, Division of Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, Michigan 48202.

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