Creation and validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index.
OBJECTIVE
We developed and validated a disorder-specific health status instrument (Singing Voice Handicap Index; SVHI) for use in patients with singing problems.


METHODS
Prospective instrument validation was performed. Of 81 original items, those with poor statistical validity were eliminated, resulting in 36 items. The ability to discriminate dysphonic from normal singers, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity were assessed.


RESULTS
We included 112 dysphonic and 129 normal singers, professional and nonprofessional, of classical, country, rock, choral, and gospel repertoire. Dysphonic singers had worse SVHI scores than normal singers (p < or = .001, rank sum test). Test-retest reliability was high (Spearman correlation, 0.92; p < or = .001). Internal consistency demonstrated a Cronbach's alpha of .97, and the correlation between the SVHI and self-rated singing voice impairment was .63 (p < or = .001, Spearman correlation).


CONCLUSIONS
The SVHI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing self-perceived handicap associated with singing problems.
Cohen
Seth M
SM
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Duke Voice Care Center, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3805, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Jacobson
Barbara H
BH
Garrett
C Gaelyn
CG
Noordzij
J Pieter
JP
Stewart
Michael G
MG
Attia
Albert
A
Ossoff
Robert H
RH
Cleveland
Thomas F
TF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014833:Voice Quality