Objective: Speech impairment is common in patients affected by head and neck cancer and impact on quality of life. Therefore, specific instruments are required for its evaluation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian Speech Handicap Index.
Methods: Data were obtained from 50 patients and 75 asymptomatic subjects. The study consisted of five phases: (1) item generation, (2) internal consistency and reliability analysis, (3) normative data generation, (4) validity analysis, performed by comparing the Italian Speech Handicap Index scores obtained in patients and asymptomatic subjects, and by correlating its scores with the results of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Module, and (5) cut-off value.
Results: Internal consistency was good (Cronbach = 0.9) and the test-retest reliability was strong. A significant difference in Italian Speech Handicap Index total score between patients and asymptomatic subjects was found. Moderate correlations between the two questionnaires were observed. A cut-off value of 14.5 demonstrated a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 100%.
Conclusion: The Italian Speech Handicap Index is a reliable and valid clinical tool. Its application in everyday practice and outcome research is recommended.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONRehabilitation of speech in head and neck cancer patients is frequently needed, especially after surgical treatment.Speech impairment represents one of the most essential factors influencing the quality of life in head and neck cancer patients.The evaluation of the speech impairment should be performed using dedicated assessment tools.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1655595 | DOI Listing |
Ear Hear
January 2025
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Objectives: Hearing aids (HAs) are a widely accepted first-line treatment option for individuals suffering from both hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. Though HAs are highly effective at improving speech understanding, their effectiveness in ameliorating tinnitus symptoms is less clear. In recent years, several investigators have reported on attempts to predict HAs effectiveness on tinnitus symptoms using an array of variables.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Patient Rep Outcomes
January 2025
Department of SLT, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), CRP, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) is commonly utilized for evaluating how dysphagia impacts the quality of life (QoL) of patients across physical, functional, and emotional dimensions. The primary aim of the research was to linguistically validate and culturally adapt the DHI to the Bangla version. A cross-sectional study design was chosen, with Beaton's protocol as the guiding framework for validating and adapting the DHI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Agric Environ Med
December 2024
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
Introduction And Objective: The Rehabilitation Definition for Research Purposes (RDRP), published in 2022 by Cochrane Rehabilitation, addresses discrepancies resulting from the multiplicity and heterogeneity of rehabilitation definitions hitherto used in the contexts of science, health, and social/legal aspects. The RDRP, based on the paradigm of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, provides clear-cut criteria for what rehabilitation includes and excludes. The final version of the RDRP achieved brad agreement among global stakeholders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Acoust Soc Am
December 2024
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
This study (1) characterized the effects of channel interaction using spectral blurring, (2) evaluated an image-guided electrode selection (IGES) method aiming to reduce channel interaction, and (3) investigated the impact of electrode placement factors on the change in performance by condition. Twelve adult MED-EL (Innsbruck, Austria) cochlear implant recipients participated. Performance was compared across six conditions: baseline (no blurring), all blurred, apical blurred, middle blurred, basal blurred, and IGES.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAudiol Res
December 2024
Audiology, Primary Care Department, AUSL of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy.
: Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition in the world population that determines emotional, social, and economic costs. In recent years, it has been definitely recognized that the lack of physiological binaural hearing causes alterations in the localization of sounds and reduced speech recognition in noise and reverberation. This study aims to explore the psycho-social profile of adult workers affected by single-sided deafness (SSD), without other major medical conditions and otological symptoms, through comparison to subjects with normal hearing.
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