Voice Therapy

A voice problem may be a change in pitch, loudness or vocal quality which draws attention to itself rather than to what is being said. A voice problem may include pain, discomfort of fatigue. Voice therapy involves vocal and physical exercises combined with behavioral changes. Hoag speech language pathologists assess and treat a variety of voice disorders upon physician referral. Because the symptoms are so varied the treatment and goals for your voice are tailored to your personal needs.Some common signs of a voice disorder include:

• Hoarseness

• Loss of voice, voice breaks

• Changes in pitch

• Shortness of breath while speaking or singing

• Difficulty maintain/initiating soft voice

• Difficulty maintain/initiating loud voice

• Sore or scratchy throat

• Vocal fatigue when talking

• Neck and/or jaw muscle tension

• Loss of singing range

• Constant throat-clearing or coughing

• Dry throat or mouth

• Tickling or choking sensation

• Difficulty swallowing

• Lump in throat

• Frequent bad breath

• Excess mucous or phlegm

• Acidic taste in mouth

Assessment and treatment may involve:

• Perceptual clinical assessment of the vocal mechanism

• Identify factors contributing to voice problems

• Education on environmental irritants, vocal use, adequate hydration, avoidance of phonotraumatic behaviors and control of health issues – reflux, allergies and asthma

• Establishing a phonation pattern that does not cause damage – addresses pitch, loudness, intonation, phonation, breathing and resonance

• Vocal function exercises to achieve optimal stamina, strength and coordination of breath support, phonation and resonance.

• Acoustic and objective analysis

• Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT – Loud). This program specifically addresses patients with Parkinson Disease. This program retrains self-perception of appropriate loudness for improved intelligibility. This is an intensive 4 week, 16 session program.