Purpose:

To adapt the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) questionnaire linguistically and culturally to Chilean Spanish.

Methodology:

The SVHI was directly translated into Chilean Spanish and later back-translated into the original English language; both translations were reviewed by a judgment of bilingual experts, who defined which items would make up the first version of the translated tool. This version was answered by 15 Chilean singers with a diagnosis of dysphonia, with the aim of identifying discrepancies, which were reviewed and agreed upon by the committee of experts; a second modified version was applied to 5 more singers with a diagnosis of dysphonia, not finding misunderstood or inappropriate questions for Chilean culture at this stage.

Results:

5 of the 9 items questioned were modified to reach the final version that reflects the original English version, both in the number of items and in the domains of the survey.

Limitations:

Due to the number of participating people, only the cultural adaptation could be carried out and not the validation of the instrument that considers cut-off scores for the population studied. Therefore, the tool can be used to carry out a qualitative and not quantitative analysis.

Value:

Having this survey translated, following a rigorous methodological process, allows Chilean singers to express their singing-related vocal disadvantage and identify the most affected domains and, thus, plan the vocal intervention more specifically.

Conclusion:

The Singing Voice Disadvantage Index questionnaire for Chilean Spanish is available for its application to the Chilean language and culture.

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