Evaluating the validity of the voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) among Hebrew speakers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of a translated version of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: in a parallel group design, 221 patients with different laryngeal pathologies and 172 people with no laryngeal pathology completed a Hebrew version of the VHI-10. Validity and reliability were assessed as well as group differences. RESULTS: Statistical analyses demonstrated high reliability values (Cronbach's Alpha r = 0.949). Responses were not affected by age (P = 0.373) or gender (P = 0.360). The control group received significantly lower scores than all pathological groups (P < 0.05). Within the pathological groups, the "neurogenic" and "mucosa irregularity" groups were rated higher than all other pathological groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The VHI-10 questionnaire maintains its validity and reliability across translation to Hebrew. Moreover, although the VHI-10 is essentially a unidimensional tool, it provides partial information on the 3 subjective dimensions of the full VHI. (C) 2006 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.