Voice Disorders
A voice disorder occurs 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 daily needs, even if others do not perceive it as different or deviant.
References:
(Aronson & Bless, 2009; Boone, McFarlane, Von Berg, & Zraik, 2010; Lee, Stemple, Glaze, & Kelchner, 2004).
(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).
Organic
Voice disorders that are physiological in nature and result from alterations in respiratory, laryngeal, or vocal tract mechanisms.
Structural
Organic voice disorders that result from physical changes in the voice mechanism (e.g., alterations in vocal fold tissues such as edema or vocal nodules; structural changes in the larynx due to aging).
Neurogenic
Organic voice disorders that result from problems with the central or peripheral nervous system innervation to the larynx that affect functioning of the vocal mechanism (e.g., vocal tremor, spasmodic dysphonia, or paralysis of vocal folds).
Functional
Voice disorders that result from improper or inefficient use of the vocal mechanism when the physical structure is normal (e.g., vocal fatigue; muscle tension dysphonia or aphonia; diplophonia; ventricular phonation).
Voice quality can also be affected when psychological stressors lead to habitual, maladaptive aphonia or dysphonia. The resulting voice disorders are referred to as psychogenic voice disorders or psychogenic conversion aphonia/dysphonia. These voice disorders are rare. SLPs refer individuals suspected of having a psychogenic voice disorder to other appropriate professionals (e.g., psychologist or psychiatrist) for diagnosis and may collaborate in subsequent treatment.
References:
(Stemple, Glaze, & Klaben, 2010).
We can help anyone with voice issues, including:
- Roughness
- Breathiness
- Strained quality
- Strangles quality
- Increased vocal effort
- Abnormal pitch
- Abnormal loudness
- Abnormal resonance
- Aphonia (loss of voice)
- Phonation breaks
- Asthenia (weak voice)
- Gurgly/wet voice
- Hoarse voice
- Decreased vocal endurance
- Running out of breath
- Frequent coughing
- Frequent throat clearing
- Abnormal loudness
- Abnormal resonance
- Aphonia (loss of voice)
- Phonation breaks
- Asthenia (weak voice)
- Gurgly/wet voice
- Hoarse voice
- Decreased vocal endurance
- Running out of breath
- Frequent coughing
- Frequent throat clearing
Professionals
Any professional voice user who requires vocal coaching for them to satisfy their career needs.
Singers, Actors & Performers
Experiencing difficulties with voice projection, pitch range or maintaining vocal quality/care.
Everyday Persons
Everyday concerns or problems that affect or impact vocal performance.
Where to begin?
Therapy for voice disorders should always begin with a referral to an Ear Nose Throat (ENT) doctor who can evaluate the physical structures and provide clearance for speech therapy to begin. Some clients will require surgical or prosthetic management before speech therapy can begin.
What we can target
Direct approaches
Focus on manipulating the voice-producing mechanisms (e.g., phonation, respiration, and musculoskeletal function) in order to modify vocal behaviors and establishing healthy voice production (Colton & Casper, 1996; Stemple, 2000).
Indirect approaches
Modify the cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical environments in which voicing occurs (Roy, et al., 2001; Thomas & Stemple, 2007).
Indirect approaches to voice therapy involve two key components: patient education and counselling.
Patient education focuses on explaining the normal physiology of voice production, the effects of voice disorders on functional communication, and the consequences of vocal misuse. It also includes guidance on maintaining vocal health through vocal hygiene strategies.
Counselling aims to address psychosocial factors that may impact vocal well-being by identifying and implementing techniques such as stress management to support healthier voice use.
In-Person Across Sydney
Whether in your home, school, aged care facility or supported workplace we will come to you.
Telehealth Across Australia
Speech Pathology has never been so accessible! Care 2 Communicate can provide online sessions Australia wide.
In-Person Across Sydney
Whether in your home, school, aged care facility or supported workplace we will come to you.
Telehealth Across Australia
Speech Pathology has never been so accessible! Care 2 Communicate can provide online sessions Australia wide.
When to reach out
If you have any concerns about any areas of your child’s communication listed above, please contact Care2Communicate. We are always happy to discuss and provide advice for any questions or worries you may have about your child’s communication development.