Translation and Adaptation to Hebrew of the Singers' Voice Handicap Index Questionnaire.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to present and validate the Hebrew version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI-Heb). It also examined possible differences in voice handicap between professional singers and singing students and among singers of various singing styles.

Methods: The original SVHI questionnaire was translated and adapted to Hebrew. The resulting Hebrew version was administered to 153 singers. Of them, 111 were professional singers, and 42 were singing students. The singers were also arranged according to their singing style to facilitate a comparison of voice handicap scores among four singing style groups (pop, rock, classical, and Mediterranean).

Results: Internal consistency of the SVHI-Heb was high, with Cronbach's α = 0.96. Principle component analysis revealed a single factor on which all items were loaded, explaining 44.48% of the variance. A strong external validity was found between the questionnaire's scores and a four-point scale of voice disorder severity (r₍₁₅₁₎ = 0.79, P < 0.001). No significant group differences were found between the scores obtained for the professional singers and those obtained for the singing students. Similarly, no significant differences were found in the scores for the four singing style groups.

Conclusions: The SVHI-Heb is a reliable and valid measure for capturing and assessing voice handicap in singers.