Determining the Cutoff Score of the Turkish Version of the Voice Handicap Index-10


Düzenli-Öztürk S., Akkaya E. M. Ü., Hacıtahiroğlu K. T., Özkaraalp İ. S., Tadıhan Özkan E.

FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA, vol.78, no.1, pp.94-100, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 78 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1159/000547535
  • Journal Name: FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.94-100
  • Keywords: Dysphonia, Receiver operating characteristic analysis, Self-reported questionnaires, Voice Handicap Index, Voice Handicap Index-10
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Introduction: The Voice Handicap Index (VHI), which is widely used worldwide to evaluate the self-reports of individuals with voice disorders, has been translated into many languages, and reliability and validity studies have been conducted. Although the VHI-10 is the most frequently used self-report tool for research, clinical, and screening purposes in Turkey, the cutoff score for VHI-10 in Turkish is unknown. In this context, this study aimed to determine the cutoff score of the Turkish version of the VHI-10 (TVHI-10). Methods: This study included 197 participants with voice disorders and 226 healthy individuals with normal voices. The dysphonic group had an average age of 39.13 +/- 14.7, and the healthy group had an average age of 36.58 +/- 13.9. Participants diagnosed with a voice disorder by an ear, nose, and throat specialist were included in the dysphonic group, and participants with a GRBAS score of zero after being evaluated by a speech and language therapist were included in the healthy group. All participants answered the TVHI-10 without assistance. Results: A cutoff score of 7.5 on the TVHI-10 yielded a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 93%, with an AUC of 0.963 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A thorough review of the literature shows that the VHI-10 cutoff score varies according to language. Therefore, it is important to determine specific cutoff scores for each VHI-10, which have been adapted to and validated in different cultures. This study recommends that the cutoff score determined for the Turkish VHI-10 be used in clinical decision-making and research design processes. (c) 2025 S. Karger AG, Basel