Assessment of quality of life in persons with voice disorders

Abstract

To present the current state of knowledge regarding health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders and to describe voice-disordered quality of life instruments. The present study discusses the concept of health-related quality of life as it relates to persons with voice disorders, and reviews current voice-disordered quality of life instruments for use in persons with dysphonia. The health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders is not particularly well understood, due to a paucity of investigations. A variety of voice-disordered quality of life instruments are, however, available. Most of these instruments have been validated and are routinely used as outcome measures in clinical and research settings. The available instruments for assessing health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders are limited. The available instruments for assessing voice-disordered quality of life are greater, and the choice of which instrument to administer is largely based on clinician's preference. Regardless of which instruments are selected, inclusion of health-related quality of life and/or voice-disordered quality of life as a therapy outcome measure is vital to the establishment of an evidence base for clinical interventions aimed at lessening the impact of dysphonia.