HINDI SINGING VOICE HANDICAP INDEX-10 (H-SVHI-10): Development, Adaptation, and Clinical Application

Voice is not just a medium of expression for singers; it is an essential part of their identity, profession, and emotional connection with music. Even minor vocal difficulties can significantly affect a singer's confidence, performance, and quality of life. Recognizing these challenges, this book focuses on the adaptation and validation of the Hindi Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (H-SVHI-10), a self-assessment tool developed to identify the impact of voice problems among Hindi-speaking singers. This book presents the process of translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the original Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 into Hindi. Through systematic research involving singers with and without voice problems, the study highlights the reliability, validity, sensitivity, and clinical usefulness of the H-SVHI-10 in assessing self-perceived singing voice difficulties. Along with being a Speech-Language Pathologist, I am also trained in Indian classical music and have participated in solo, duet, and group performances during and beyond my training years. During my internship, postgraduate training, and personal journey as a musician, I observed that although Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in India, there was no standardized Hindi tool available to assess singing voice-related difficulties among Hindi-speaking singers. Keeping this need in mind, the Hindi version of the Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 was developed from the original English version with the aim of creating a culturally and linguistically appropriate tool for singers across India. This work reflects an effort to contribute to the field of speech-language pathology and voice sciences while supporting early identification and better management of vocal health concerns in singers. This book will be valuable for speech-language pathologists, voice therapists, ENT professionals, researchers, students, vocal trainers, and singers interested in vocal health and singing voice assessment.