What is Voice Therapy?

Voice therapy is a specific branch of treatment provided by a Speech and Language Pathologist. Voice therapy is for people of all ages and can address a wide range of needs. Before we get into that, let's start with the basics!

What is Voice?

Some people are naturally very soft spoken, others tend to yell. You might know someone with a very gravely, rough voice or maybe they are quite breathy. Perhaps you speak with lots of emotion, or maybe your voice is very flat. Everyone's voice is a little different and that's okay! Each voice is shaped by our anatomy, personality and the ways in which we chose to use it.

What is a Voice Disorder?

According to ASHA (The American Speech-Language Hearing Association), a voice disorder is present when voice quality, pitch, and loudness differ or are inappropriate for an individual’s age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location. A voice disorder is present when an individual expresses concern about having an abnormal voice that does not meet their daily needs, even if others do not perceive it as different, or "a problem".

There are many different voice disorders commonly seen by a Speech Language Pathologist, these may include, but are not limited to:

• Muscle Tension Dysphonia

• Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM)

• Vocal Cord Paralysis

• Presbyphonia

• Vocal Cord Nodules

Other conditions that may benefit from voice therapy can include:

• Globus Sensation

• Chronic Cough

• Chronic Vocal Fatigue
  

Some individuals may also seek Gender Affirming Voice Therapy, learn more about that here.

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Voice Therapy at Beyond Speech

If you have questions about a specific voice disorder, or feel that you could benefit from voice therapy, please contact us!

Please contact jstetz@beyondspeechservices.com for more information.