Socioeconomic Status, Voice Disorder Risk, and Voice-Related Handicap Across Childhood

Is socioeconomic status (SES) associated with voice disorder risk and voice-related handicap in children and adolescents?In this cross-sectional study of 1656 adolescents (aged 13 to 17 years) and children (aged 4 to 12 years), SES was inversely associated with voice disorder prevalence. Voice Handicap Index and Pediatric Voice Handicap Index scores were significantly greater (worse) in children and adolescents with voice disorders compared with those without voice problems and were inversely associated with household income in those with voice problems.These findings highlight the importance of making voice-related health care accessible to children and adolescents from low SES homes.

Corresponding Author: Robert Brinton Fujiki, PhD, CCC-SLP, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1130 W Michigan St, Fessler Hall 400, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (rfujiki@iu.edu).

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