The Relationship between the Voice Handicap Index and the Years of ‎Service in Speech and Language Pathologists

Introduction: Speech and language pathologists are the professional voice users who are using their voices as a primary tool to carry out their occupational duties. Professional voice users are considered to be at risk of developing voice disorders since they lack proper care of their vocal health and voice management. The aim of this study was to determine the voice handicap index (VHI) in two groups of speech and language pathologists with years of service less than and more than of ten years. Materials and Methods: ‎In this analytical cross-sectional study, convenience sampling method was used and 38 speech and language pathologists in Isfahan city, Iran, were selected according to be available in the city. They were purposely divided into two groups. In addition; the data of voice handicap index application forms were collected to evaluate the voice handicap index in speech and language pathologists. The average scores of both acoustic parameters and voice handicap index for the two groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test. Results: The total voice handicap index score for the two groups was less than the cut-off point in the questionnaire. ‎Moreover, the mean and standard deviation scores of voice handicap index and three sub-tests of speech and ‎language pathologists with more than 10-year work experiences was fewer than those with work experiences less ‎than 10 years (P < 0.05). There was an inverse relationship between the total voice handicap index score and sub-‎test with the years of services of speech and language pathologists.‎ Conclusion: Although, speech and language pathologists may abuse or misuse their voices at the beginning of their professions ‎due to the lack of knowledge and experience, they will realize significant impacts on vocal parameters after several ‎years of working in this area.