WHAT IS A VOICE DISORDER?
A voice disorder is any change in pitch, loudness, vocal quality and/or progression of vocal issues.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A VOICE DISORDER?
- Hoarseness
- Breathiness
- Pitch/Voice breaks or changes
- Loss of voice/Pitch Range
- Pain or fatigue with voicing
- Frequent throat clearing
- Loss of vocal range
- Strain when speaking
WHAT CAUSES VOICE DISORDERS?
A voice disorder may be caused by upper respiratory infections, reflux, phonotraumatic behaviors (e.g. yelling), benign growths, neuromuscular conditions, habitual coughing/throat clearing, and/or laryngeal cancer. If you suspect a voice disorder you should first consult an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor or an Otolaryngologist.
WHAT DISORDERS DO WE TREAT?
Voice disorders associated with:
- Vocal fold Nodules, Polyps, Cysts and Granulomas
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)
- Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement
- Vocal Fold Paresis/Paralysis
- Parkinson’s Disease and other Neuromuscular conditions
- Muscle Tension Dysphonia
- Psychogenic Voice Disorders
We provide training in:
- Resonance & Nasality
- Prosody
- Vocal Intensity
- Alaryngeal Speech
- Electrolarynx Training
HELPFUL TIPS
Minimize habitual yelling/making cars and animal noises
Manage symptoms of reflux
Minimize throat clearing/coughing/whispering
Renew breath often when speaking
Drink lots of water
TREATMENT
Use of traditional voice therapy approaches combined with extensive education assist with the modification of maladaptive vocal behaviors. Speech visualization software facilitates the recognition and modification of phonotraumatic behaviors, promotes learning and increases progress towards goals. Voice goals may include:
- Education regarding vocal hygiene and elimination of phonotraumatic behaviors.
- Behavioral intervention techniques to modify biomechanics of voice
- Exercises to improve breath support with use of diaphragm.
- Strategies to improve resonance, pitch and intensity
- Modification of vocal tract to achieve adequate glottal closure