Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41678590›Full record

ArticleAmerican journal of speech-language pathology2026

The Lived Experience of Phonotrauma: Discussions on Identity and Stigma.

Laura E Toles, Ella Dabney, Carolyn Smith-Morris

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in American journal of speech-language pathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Laura E TolesDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.ORCID 0000-0002-2665-3283
Ella DabneyDepartment of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
Carolyn Smith-MorrisDepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciences, O'Donnell School of Public Health, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.ORCID 0000-0002-2202-1588

Funding

Longitudinal Investigation of Factors Impacting the Development and Rehabilitation of PhonotraumaK23DC020758 · NIDCD · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · PI Laura Elizabeth Toles · 2023 to 2026
$723k
NIDCD NIH HHS K23 DC020758
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo capture the perspectives of patients on the experience of living with a phonotraumatic voice disorder and their path through treatment, the current study examined the experience and emotional impact of a phonotrauma diagnosis. The relationships between voice disorders, identity, and barriers were explored through semistructured interviews.

methodTwenty-one individuals with phonotrauma (20 cisgender females and one cisgender male; 19 singers) participated in semistructured interviews conducted through a secure videoconferencing platform and lasted an average of 30 min. Interviews addressed the following topics: personality, identity, impacts of voice problems, and barriers to pursuing treatment. Interview data were systematically analyzed using dual coders and triangulation of data sources to identify recurrent themes, categories, and expressions.

resultsThe data from interviews resulted in two primary themes: (a) The role of voice in identity may heighten the emotional impact from a phonotrauma diagnosis, and (b) negative pressure and perceived stigma. Participants, particularly singers, described their voice as central to their personal and professional identity. Loss of vocal function led to disruption in identity and perceived mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also reported experiencing both internal and external pressures. Pressures included stigma from peers, colleagues, and health care providers, fear of being perceived as having poor vocal skills, and practical consequences such as loss of income and career uncertainty.

conclusionsResults of this qualitative study into the perspectives of patients diagnosed with phonotrauma revealed far-reaching effects beyond the standard vocal function impacts. Phonotrauma can impact the individual's identity, well-being, and livelihood. Stigma and negative pressure can compound these effects. Clinicians should consider using an individualized approach to treating patients with phonotrauma by addressing the emotional and identity impacts of the disorder and helping patients navigate the psychosocial challenges of recovery.

Indexed as

Self ConceptSocial StigmaVoice DisordersVoice QualityAdaptation, PsychologicalAdultCost of IllnessEmotionsFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedSingingYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41678590
PMCPMC12994724

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.