Estimating Self Perceived Voice Handicap in Hyper functional Voice Disorders Using Bengali Transadapted VoiSS

Abstract

VoiSS has been reported to be an important test for determining vocal handicap particularly in individuals with hyper functional voice disorders. With linguistic and cultural variability affecting VoiSS scores, it is pertinent to transadapt VoiSS in Indian languages. This study thus aimed to transadapt Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS) in Bengali and explored self-perceived voice handicap in hyper functional voice patients using Bengali VoiSS. A total of 40 participants (mean age = 37.06 years, SD = ± 6.35) within the age range of 25 to 45 years participated in the study. The participants were further divided into two groups consisting of 20 males (mean age = 36.66 years, SD = ± 7.62) and 20 females (mean age = 35.93 years, SD = ± 5.82). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and “t” test were used to examine the variability between the parameters. The mean values of scores of the physical parameter of VoiSS in Bengali and English versions were found to be 7.2 (SD = ± 0.62) and 6.6 (SD = ± 1.06) respectively. Similarly, the mean values obtained were 13.23 (SD = ± 2.13) for Emotional VoiSS in Bengali and 12.64 (SD = ± 2.23) for Emotional VoiSS in English. The mean value for Impairment VoiSS was found to be 25.22 (SD = ± 4.16) and the mean value for the same parameter in English VoiSS was found as 25.33 (SD = ± 4.24). The mean values of the total scores of VoiSS in Bengali (after 3 weeks interval) for hyper-functional voice disorder population was found to be 0.34 (SD = ± 0.026) respectively. The study concluded VoiSS-Bengali to be a valid tool for estimating voice handicap in hyper functional voice disordered patients having native language as Bengali. Further studies of the transadapted tool on various types of voice disorders will help in generalization of the results.