Normative Values of Client-Reported Outcome Measures and Self-Ratings of Six Voice Parameters via the VoiceEvalU8 App.
Elizabeth U Grillo, Brigit Corej, Jeremy Wolfberg
PMID 34895987WHAT IT FOUND
For vocally healthy adults, the VoiceEvalU8 app produced scores identical to paper-and-pencil tests for voice handicap and fatigue.
However, these adults rated their voice quality as significantly worse in the morning than in the evening. These norms apply only to healthy voices.
Key findings
01There were no significant differences between paper-and-pencil and app-based administration for the VHI-30, VHI-10, and VFI in vocally healthy adults.
02Vocally healthy adults rated their voice worse in the morning before talking all day compared to the evening after talking all day across six voice parameters.
03The study provides normative data for these measures specifically for vocally healthy adults, not patients with voice disorders.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included vocally healthy adults, so the results cannot be directly applied to patients with voice disorders. Experiment 2 participants did not receive formal training on how to rate the specific voice parameters. The sample was a convenience sample of university students and staff, which may not represent the general population. Experiment 1 procedures transitioned from in-person to virtual during the study, which could introduce variability, though the authors state this was a limitation rather than a confounding factor for the primary comparison.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was conducted at West Chester University.
The easy way to misread this
Do not apply these normative values to patients with voice disorders. The study only established baselines for vocally healthy adults. Patients with voice problems may show different patterns, such as worsening voice quality later in the day rather than in the morning.