Cross‐cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Chinese Voice Handicap Index‐10

Abstract

Recent developments in voice assessment propose the use of quality of life measurements. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is one of the most psychometrically robust and well-studied instruments among the various instruments for measuring quality of life. Two versions of VHI (VHI-30 and VHI-10) have been shown to be valid instruments for distinguishing dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals and also for documenting treatment effect for dysphonic patients. The VHI has been used worldwide; however, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of VHI remains untested. This study aimed to investigate such properties of the Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10 in the Hong Kong Chinese population. Psychometric analysis of the Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10 in dysphonic patients and control subjects. The original VHI-30 was translated into Chinese and was completed by 131 dysphonic patients and 54 nondysphonic individuals. The dysphonic patients also self-rated their dysphonic severity. Results showed high test-retest reliability and high item-total correlation for both Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10. Both Chinese versions could be used to distinguish different dysphonic groups and between dysphonic and nondysphonic groups. Significant correlation was found between the VHI scores and the patients' self-rated dysphonic severity. The present study supported the original three-factorial structures of the VHI-30 and the use of the VHI for the Chinese population. It is shown that the Chinese VHI-10 is a strong representation of VHI-30 and is recommended for use in clinics because of its validity and ease of use by patients.