Hoarseness, huskiness, vocal failure, change of sound of the voice, reduced resilience or performance of the voice, reduced vocal range, feeling of globus, discomfort, scratching, burning, feeling of dryness or pain in the throat are the most common symptoms associated with voice disorders.
At what point someone starts to feel that something is no longer «right» with their voice depends very much on the daily vocal stress, the professional demands on the voice and the social circumstances of life. To a certain degree, changes in the voice are normal and can depend on the daily constitution, the weather, stress etc. If voice problems or remarkable negative changes in the voice last for more than two weeks or occur repeatedly, a consultation with a medical doctor is recommended. At the SingStimmZentrum, the person in charge is Dr. Salome Zwicky, ENT doctor and specialist in phoniatrics.
Selftest singing voice
The SVHI (Singing Voice Handicap Index) is an easy-to-use instrument to evaluate the significance of a voice disorder with little effort. The SVHI is a questionnaire with 36 questions about the subjectively perceived limitation of the singing voice.
For evaluation, the points are added up. The assessment of this total score depends on factors that can only be classified in a well-founded evaluation. Roughly speaking, a score of up to 17 points is considered normal. If the score is higher, a medical examination is recommended.
Selftest speaking voice
There are also validated questionnaires for judging the condition of the speaking voice, which have proven helpful in practice. For people with average usage of the speaking voice, it is recommended to fill in the Voice Handicap Index questionnaire.
PDF Voice Handicap Index – Download
Self-test for professional speakers
For people who use their voice professionally e.g. teachers, actors, radio announcers, etc., it is advisable to complete the Voice Profile for Professional Speakers. With a result of 64 points or more, medical examination is urgently recommended. However, even if the score is lower, there may be a technical problem with corresponding symptoms, for which an examination of the speaking voice may be useful.
Voice Profile for Professional Speakers – Download
List of references to the Singing Voice Handicap Index
Cohen (1) published the SVHI 2007 in English language and validated for the USA. Ther German version (the German translation has been revalidated) has been presented to the congress DGPP in Zürich by Ms. A. Lorenz (2).
Quellen:
1. Cohen SM, Jacobson BH, Garrett CG, Noordzij JP, Stewart MG, Attia A, Ossoff RH, Cleveland TF. Creation and validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. 2007 Juni;116(6):402–406.[zitiert 2012 Apr 16 ]
2. Lorenz A. validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) in German language. 2011;
( M0145; 28. Wissenschaftliche Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie (DGPP), 2. Dreiländertagung D-A-CH; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie; Zürich; 20110909-20110911; Stimme: Diagnostik)
Reference to the Voice Handicap Index
Aktuelle phoniatrisch-pädaudiologische Aspekte; ISBN-Nr: 9783-00-032642-4: Jahr: 2011; Volume 19 Original Cohen et al. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. 2007 Juni; 116(6):402-[zitiert 2012 Apr 16]
Reference to the Voice Profile for Professional Speakers
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