Cutoff Point at Voice Handicap Index Used to Screen Voice Disorders Among Persian Speakers

Purpose This study aimed to determine the cutoff point at Voice Handicap Index (VHI) as a diagnostic tool in the process of voice disorder assessment. It further surveyed a correlation between diagnosis made by speech specialist and a corresponding opinion reported by client on the existence/nonexistence of any voice disorder. Method A sample of 160 individuals who completed the VHI questionnaire were assigned to clinical and nonclinical groups. They were asked about the opinions of their voices on a Likert scale. Results A correlation was found between the specialistsʹ diagnosis and clientsʹ opinion on their own voices (rآ =آ 0.882); however, this was reduced (rآ =آ 0.717) when a mild voice disorder existed among the nonclinical group. The cutoff point, at which VHI sensitivity (for screening subjects with and without normal voices) reached its maximal value (92%) and its highest level of specificity (95%), was observed to be 14.5. Conclusion Occasional incompatibility between specialistsʹ diagnoses and that of clientsʹ opinion about existence/nonexistence of voice disorders within the individuals should be considered significant. Also, a score of 14.5 can be accepted as the cutoff point at VHI (Persian version) in the voice disorder assessment process.