Voice handicap index change following treatment of voice disorders.

Outcome measurements of voice disorders is an important new area for both the evaluation of voice-disordered patients and evaluation of treatment efficacy. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) measures the patient's perception of the impact of his or her voice-disorder. The VHI was used in this study to measure the changes of the patient's perception following treatment for four different voice disorders. The VHI showed a significant change following treatment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal cyst/polyp, and muscle tension dysphonia. Results of this paper indicate that the VHI is a useful instrument to monitor the treatment efficacy for voice disorders.