Voice Disorders
What causes a voice problem?
Voice problems occur in several ways. All of us experience voice loss from time to time that may occur with a bad cold or laryngitis. This occurs when the vocal folds are swollen and usually resolves within a few days. If you experience voice problems and you are not sick, you may have a problem with the vocal folds from chronic irritation, misuse of the muscles that help you produce voice, or a benign growth on the vocal folds themselves.
How do I know if I have a voice problem?
Most likely, you will lose your voice or experience changes in the sound of your voice
unrelated to an illness. Other common voice problems may include:
- Difficulty making the voice louder
- Trouble speaking for more than a few minutes without pain or fatigue
- Pain in the throat when speaking
- Breathy voice
What will occur during the voice evaluation?
During a voice evaluation, a thorough history of the voice problem is taken. You will be asked questions about your voice use, both at work and socially. Acoustic measures will be taken with the assistance of a computer to further quantify the problems. You clinician will help identify ways in which your voice might be improved or ways in which your voice use may be modified. For most problems, an examination of the larynx by an ear, nose, and throat physician, must be completed before beginning any voice treatment program.
What should I expect in voice therapy?
Following the voice evaluation, an individualized program will be developed to address your vocal problems. During therapy, the goal is to help you achieve the best voice possible. Generally, clients are given directed practice in exercises designed to improve and strengthen the voice. Home practice is given to assist in achieving and maintaining the improved voice. You may also be given suggestions for changing vocal habits that may have an adverse effect on your voice. Suggestions for maintaining good vocal health will also be discussed. Most sessions last just under an hour. Many voice problems may be rehabilitated within several months.
Will therapy really change my voice?
Therapy is not recommended unless positive change is expected. Therapy is generally effective for persons diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, vocal fold nodules or polyps, and cysts. In some cases, when surgery is planned to remove a growth, you may be asked to undergo limited voice therapy prior to the procedure. This is done for 2 purposes: 1) to insure that you change behaviors that may have contributed to the growth and 2) to instruct you regarding modified voice use following surgery.
Is therapy really necessary? Why can’t I take a medication to get rid of the problem?
There is no medication that will eliminate hoarseness or vocal fold growths. Many problems, such as nodules and polyps, result from inefficient vocal production or overuse of the voice. These problems can only be resolved by changing voice production and usage patterns.