title: Validation and Adaptation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index for Egyptian Singing Voice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Measuring the severity of a voice disorder is difficult. This can be achieved by both subjective and objective measures. The Voice Handicap Index is the most known and used self-rating tool for voice disorders. The Classical Singing Handicap Index (CSHI) is a self-administered questionnaire measuring the impact of vocal deviation on the quality of life of singers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to develop an Arabic version of the CSHI and to test its validity and reliability in Egyptian singers with different singing styles with normal voice and with voice disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The interpreted version was administered to 70 Egyptian singers including artistic singers (classical and popular) and specialized singers (Quran reciters and priests) who were divided into 40 asymptomatic singers (control group) and 30 singers with voice disorders. Participants' responses were statistically analyzed to assess the validity and reliability, and to compare the patient group with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quran reciters, patients with no previous professional training, and patients with vocal fold lesions demonstrated the highest scores. The Arabic version of CSHI is found to be a reliable, valid, and sensitive self-assessment tool that can be used in the clinical practice for the evaluation of the impact of voice disorders on singing voice.
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Units, ORL Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt. Electronic address: taboelsaad@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tamer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abou-Elsaad
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Units, ORL Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hemmat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baz
authors.affiliation: Phoniatric Units, ORL Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Omayma
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Afsah
authors.affiliation: Mansoura General Hospitals, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hend
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abo-Elsoud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D063346:Singing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Egyptian singers; Voice Handicap Index; nonorganic voice problems; singing voice; voice disorders