Correlation Between a Self-Voice Assessment and Objective-Voice Evaluation Outcomes in Speech Language Pathology Students

Abstract

Aim The aims of this study is to explore the correlation between the Voice Disorder Index (VDI) score and acoustic and phonatory respiratory voice parameters in speech language pathology (SLP) students with and without self-perceived voice disorders.

Methods The Voice Disorder Index (VDI) and the Lingwaves 3 “Voice Protocol” were administered to each participant in order to assess his/her self-perceived severity of his/her voice problem, as well as, acoustic and phonatory respiratory measurements. The correlation coefficients were used to evaluate and quantify the degree of a linear relationship between VDI scores and acoustic and phonatory respiratory voice measures in students with and without self-perceived voice disorders.

Results Relatively strong, strong and strong positive correlations were revealed when comparing the VDI physical subscale with the Dysphonia Severity Index (r(11) = 0.56, P = 0.048), mean loudness when reading in English (r(11) = 0.70, P = 0.008) and mean loudness when reading in Greek (r(11) =0.69, P = 0.009) respectively.

Conclusions SLP students may be more aware of the impact of their laryngeal discomfort and voice output characteristics on their daily activities that can predict certain acoustic parameters than the emotional and functional impact on their daily activities.