Correlation between Hyoid Bone Position and Self-perceived Voice Handicap in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the position of the hyoid bone and self-perceived voice handicap and fatigue in a cohort of non-dysphonic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODOLOGY: After having obtained Institutional Review Board approval (BIO-2025-0307), a retrospective cephalometric study was conducted on 272 patients. Cephalometric measures included: the vertical distance from the hyoid bone to the sella turcica (Hy-S), the vertical distance from the hyoid bone to the posterior nasal spine (Hy-PNS), the linear distance from the hyoid bone to the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebra (Hy-C3), the vertical distance from the hyoid bone to the mandibular plane (Hy-MP), and the linear distance from the hyoid bone to menton (Hy-Me). The main outcome measures of the study included the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), the Voice Fatigue Index (VFI), and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients, 179 females and 93 males, were included in this study. The mean age of the study group was 31.04 ± 12.44 years. The mean (Hy-S), (Hy-PNS) and (Hy-Me) was 104.06 ± 20.81 mm, 61.93 ± 7.69 mm, and 43.78 ± 6.21, respectively. The mean (Hy-C3) was 34.41 ± 4.37 mm. The mean (Hy-MP) was 15.73 ± 5.78 mm. The mean VHI-10 score was 1.64 ± 3.15. The mean V-RQOL score was 98.25 ± 5.45, and the mean VFI score was 2.40 ± 6.69. There were no statistically significant correlations between any of the voice outcome measures and hyoid bone measurements. Linear regression analysis showed a significant independent, weak association between Hy-C3, the VHI-10 (β = 0.211, P = 0.003) and V-RQOL scores β = -0.155, P = 0.030). CONCLUSION: The position of the hyoid bone carries limited clinical significance in relation to voice in non-dysphonic patients.