Voice Disorders
A voice disorder refers to any condition that disrupts the normal production of sounds by the vocal cords, impacting the quality, pitch, loudness, or flexibility of the voice.
They can cause changes to the voice called dysphonia or loss of voice aphonia. These disorders can manifest in various ways as outlined below:
Changes in Pitch: The voice may sound higher or lower than usual, or it might fluctuate unexpectedly.
Changes in Volume: The voice might be excessively quiet or excessively loud.
Changes in Quality: The voice might sound hoarse, breathy, strained, rough, or shaky.
Pain or Discomfort: Some voice disorders can cause pain or discomfort in the throat or while speaking.
These disorders can arise from a range of causes, such as vocal cord nodules or polyps, laryngitis, neurological conditions affecting the vocal cords, misuse of the voice, such as excessive yelling or speaking in an unhealthy way, or even psychological factors impacting vocal behavior.
Voice disorders can significantly impact daily communication and can affect various professions that rely heavily on vocal performance, like teaching or singing.
Before you are referred to a speech and language therapist for voice therapy, the health of your vocal cords needs to be explored by an ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor. They will examine your throat using a camera to establish what is causing your voice problems. This procedure is called an endoscopy, laryngoscopy or nasendoscopy.
Input by an SLT may include:
- Helping you to understand what factors have contributed to your voice problem
- Giving you information and advice about your voice
- Suggesting things that you can do to improve your voice or reduce the impact that it is having
- Teaching therapy techniques and exercises to improve your voice. You will usually be asked to practice these regularly at home, a bit like physiotherapy for your voice
- Help to educate those around you (for example, your family, work or school, with your permission) about your voice condition and things that they can do to help
Get started in three simple steps
Call us for a chat on +44 (0)7311 280 831 or book an initial consultation using the link below
Initial assessment undertaken together with family and those closely involved
We will deliver therapy tailored to your needs.