Speech-Language Pathology Services


 


Voice Disorder

What is it?
A voice disorder may include the presence of inappropriate pitch (too high, too low, never changing/monotone, or interrupted by breaks), inappropriate loudness (too loud or not loud enough) or impaired quality (harsh, hoarse, breathy, nasal). Voice disorders also may include the experience of pain or discomfort when speaking or singing.

What Causes Voice Disorders?
A variety of factors may cause a voice problem. Misuse of the voice, such as talking too loudly, talking excessively, or using a pitch level which is too high or too low, can result in a voice problem. Individuals may become temporarily hoarse by cheering at a sporting event or by raising the voice over loud music at a concert or nightclub. Individuals can sustain an injury which causes trauma to the larynx (voice box), or paralysis of a vocal fold. Use of improper breathing patterns or excessive muscular tension to produce voice can also result in a voice problem. Abuse of the vocal folds through excessive or chronic smoking can be damaging to the voice as well. Other causes of voice problems include head injury, stroke, neuromuscular disorders and other neurological disorders.

What Are Treatment Options?
Many voice problems improve dramatically with the help of a speech-language pathologist. Some problems can benefit from a combination of medical or surgical intervention and speech-language pathology treatment. Some voice problems can be helped by voice therapy (from a speech-language pathologist) alone, eliminating the future need for surgery. When faulty use of the voice has caused a condition requiring surgery, treatment from a speech-language pathologist is necessary to avoid a recurrence of the problem. With some conditions, such as cancer of the larynx, an otolaryngologist may recommend surgery and pre/post-surgical counseling with a speech-language pathologist.
Services that are available at HCMC include:

  • Evaluation of the voice including an acoustic analysis by a speech-language pathologist and a laryngeal examination by an otolaryngologist.
  • Evaluation by speech-language pathologist, otolaryngologist and neurologist to determine the necessity/appropriateness of botulinum toxin injections for spasmodic dysphonia.

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  • Education and retraining regarding healthy patterns of voice care.

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  • Training in healthy and appropriate voice technique to reduce strain or stress during voice production, and to reduce potential injury to the vocal folds.

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  • Training in productive breathing patterns to support safe, healthy voice use.

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  • Exercise programs to improve the strength, balance, flexibility and endurance of the laryngeal musculature.

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  • Assistance in determining the need for any prosthetic devices to reduce nasality in special speech/voice production.


What You Can Do To Help?
If you or your family have hoarseness, voice change, or discomfort that persists for more than two weeks in the absence of an allergy or cold, you should be examined by a medical doctor. This examination will help you and your doctor decide whether your problem requires professional assistance by a speech-language pathologist.
General tips for good vocal hygiene and healthy voice use:

  • Eliminate smoking or exposure to smoke

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  • Drink at least 8 cups of water daily

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  • Avoid excessive throat clearing

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  • Avoid yelling, screaming or loud talking

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  • Avoid excessive talking

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  • Avoid whispering

  • Reduce intake of caffeine

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  • Reduce time spent in noisy environments (which leads to loud talking)

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  • Try to get enough rest/sleep

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  • Utilize stress management techniques to reduce life-stress