Voice Disorders in the General Population: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Occupational Impact

Epidemiologic studies of the prevalence and risk factors of voice disorders in the general adult population are rare. The purpose of this investigation was to 1) determine the prevalence of voice disorders, 2) identify variables associated with increased risk of voice disorders, and 3) establish the functional impact of voice disorders on the general population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey.

A random sample (n = 1,326) of adults in Iowa and Utah was interviewed using a questionnaire that addressed three areas related to voice disorders: prevalence, potential risk factors, and occupational consequences/effects.