The Relationship Between Dysphonia Severity Index and Voice-Related Quality of Life in the Elementary School Teachers with Voice Complaint

Abstract

Teachers are one of the largest groups of professional voice users who are highly dependent on their voice in their working environment using their voice as a primary tool for their profession. Thus, they are at high risk of voice disorders. Since voice disorders are multi-causal in nature, it is necessary to evaluate them systematically and in different ways to determine the exact nature of the disorder. Therefore, in this study, the relationship between Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) and Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) was examined from the perspective of teachers with voice complaint. In this study, 157 primary school teachers with voice complaint (49 males and 108 females) with an average age of 38.54 ± 9.56 years were studied using DSI and VRQOL as a self-assessment. The mean of VRQOL was 74.379 ± 18.95 and the mean of DSI was 1.339 ± 1.62. The results of the study showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the overall scores of DSI and VRQOL scales (r=0.545, P < 0.001). This study showed that a low dysphonia severity index, reflecting poor laryngeal function, is associated with lower voice-related quality of life. Therefore, accurate and timely assessment of the DSI in teachers can prevent the occurrence and/or progression of voice disorder and, consequently, prevent reducing the voice-related quality of life in teachers.