Prevalence of perceived voice problems and voice-related quality of life in a non-treatment seeking elderly population in Hong Kong

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Presbyphonia is the term used to describe voice problems associated with age-related physiological changes. Presbyphonia can adversely impact on the elderly’s quality of life. Aging population can be divided into three sub-groups according to their age: young-old (aged 65-74 years), old-old (aged 75-84 years) and oldest-old (aged 85 years or above). The health status and conditions between the three age groups can be very different. General physical and functional health of the oldest-old group were reported to be significantly worse than the young-old group (Smith, Borchelt, Maier, & Jopp, 2002). As for the subjective well-being, the young-old group reported significantly higher satisfaction with aging and life than the oldest-old group (Smith et al., 2002). Up to date, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of voice problems and voice-related quality of life across the three sub-groups. Such information would be invaluable to facilitate better voice care planning and allocation of voice care resources for the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The present study was set out to evaluate the prevalence of perceived voice disorders and voice-related quality of life in a non-treatment seeking elderly population in Hong Kong. METHODS: One hundred elderly individuals were recruited from senior citizen community centres in Hong Kong. Each participant received a face-to-face interview with the researcher. The participants were asked to report the presence of voice problems and the voice symptoms that they experienced. They were also asked to complete the Cantonese version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI) to ascertain their voice-related quality of life. (Data collection was in progress at the time this abstract was submitted. Full set of data will be presented at the Congress.) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Preliminary results suggested different patterns in the prevalence of perceived voice disorders and the voice-related quality of life between the young-old, the old-old and the oldest-old groups. Learning Outcome: 1. Discuss the voice problems and voice-related qualty of life in the elderly population. 2. Discuss the voice problems and voice-related quality of life between young-old, old-old and oldest-old groups.