[Applicability of Voice Handicap Index to the evaluation of voice therapy effectiveness in teachers].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to the evaluation of effectiveness of functional voice disorders treatment in teachers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 45 female teachers with functional dysphonia who evaluated their voice problems according to the subjective VHI scale before and after phoniatric management. Group I (29 patients) were subjected to vocal training, whereas group II (16 patients) received only voice hygiene instructions.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated that differences in the mean VHI score before and after phoniatric treatment were significantly higher in group 1 than in group II (p < 0.05). Moreover, the improvement observed in group I applied to each of VHI subscales: functional, emotional and physical, while in group II it applied only to physical subscale.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the VHI test can be a useful method for monitoring phoniatric management efficacy in teacher's dysphonia.