Patrick R. Walden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, chair and associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, has published a new study, “Severity Cut-Off Ranges for Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation Using Visual Analog Scales,” in the Journal of Voice (2025).
The research study establishes cut-off scores for assessing the severity of voice qualities on a 100-unit visual analog scale. Walden conducted the study utilizing a database of nearly 300 audio samples, including sustained vowels and sentences, which were rated by 19 experienced voice clinicians. The auditory-perceptual evaluations help speech-language pathologists determine whether a voice sounds normal, mildly affected, moderately impaired, or severely disordered. Until now, there hasn’t been a clear, standardized way to determine those cut-off points, Walden said.
“These findings help clinicians provide more accurate diagnostic information,” Walden said. “Patients can track changes in their voice and communicate progress more effectively with insurers, making it easier to document meaningful improvements.”
While traditional rating scales have been useful, Walden said this research improves the precision of auditory-perceptual evaluations, making them more reliable and informative. The study’s findings support both clinical and research applications, paving the way for improved voice assessment in speech-language pathology, Walden added.
The findings are expected to improve diagnostic clarity in speech-language pathology, streamline treatment decisions, and support insurance documentation.