Assessment of quality of life in persons with voice disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To present the current state of knowledge regarding health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders and to describe voice-disordered quality of life instruments.

RECENT FINDINGS: The present study discusses the concept of health-related quality of life as it relates to persons with voice disorders, and reviews current voice-disordered quality of life instruments for use in persons with dysphonia. The health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders is not particularly well understood, due to a paucity of investigations. A variety of voice-disordered quality of life instruments are, however, available. Most of these instruments have been validated and are routinely used as outcome measures in clinical and research settings.

SUMMARY: The available instruments for assessing health-related quality of life in persons with voice disorders are limited. The available instruments for assessing voice-disordered quality of life are greater, and the choice of which instrument to administer is largely based on clinician's preference. Regardless of which instruments are selected, inclusion of health-related quality of life and/or voice-disordered quality of life as a therapy outcome measure is vital to the establishment of an evidence base for clinical interventions aimed at lessening the impact of dysphonia.