ABSTRACT
Purpose
To analyze the impact of voice on the quality of life of transgender (or trans) people and to relate to vocal self-perception, gender identity.
Methods
27 individuals aged between 18 and 49 years, users of the Ambulatório Trans de Sergipe: – “Portas abertas - Saúde integral das pessoas trans: cuidar e acolher” - Universidade Federal de Sergipe” were included. After anamnesis, the Quality of Life in Voice (QLV) instruments, the Transgender Voice Questionnaire (TVQMtF) and the Voice Disorder Screening Index (VDSI) were applied. The highest number of trans men (63.0%) was observed in relation to the group of trans women (37.0%). The average age was 26.7 years (±9.1). 96.3% had a specific voice complaint.
Results
QLV presented a mean value of 26.1 points for total scores, the VDSI of 3.9 and TVQMtF of 70.6, with no significant relationship between results and gender identity and age. A significant relationship was observed between QLV and TVQMtF.
Conclusion
This study observed a poor quality of life in voice in trans people. Thus, the higher the perception of their vocal disorders, the worse their quality of life, regardless of gender (female or male) and possible vocal disorders.
Keywords:
Transgender persons; Quality of life; Voice quality; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Self concept