Voice Therapy
VOICE DISORDERS
The voice is produced through three important systems: breathing, vocal fold vibration and resonance/articulation.
Our lungs provide the in and out air flow needed for voice. The air travels through the windpipe to the voice box (larynx) and produces voice. This sound is then shaped by the our throat, mouth and nasal passages to create our own unique sound.
A voice disorder can be caused by a breakdown of a singular system or combination of the above 3 systems. It can present in different ways. For instance, you may experience:
– Changes in voice quality (e.g. hoarse, rough, breathy, strained, weak)
– Changes with pitch or volume
– The need to push your voice or your voice fatigues over the day.
– Consistent voice loss
– Throat pain when speaking
A voice disorder can be caused by:
– Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
– Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
– Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
– Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
– Ataxia
– Neurological Conditions
– Functional aphonia/dysphonia caused by functional neurological disorder (FND)
– Vocal nodules, polyps or cysts
– Vocal Fold Paralysis
– Muscle Tension Dysphonia
– Spasmodic dysphonia
– Laryngitis
– Reflux
Voice disorders can impact greatly on one’s livelihood. It can make it challenging to be heard or understood, especially in group settings or noisy environments. You might have to frequently repeat yourself.
COMPREHENSIVE VOICE THERAPY
Speech Pathologists at iBrain have expertise in delivering voice therapy.
A thorough assessment will be undertaken to investigate the issues you are experiencing and evaluating your voice. A comprehensive treatment program will then be tailored for you. We will teach you how to improve voice quality and endurance using evidence-based vocal tract exercises, as well as providing education on vocal care and behavioural and lifestyle adjustments. Altogther, they will help you balance the systems of breathing, vocal fold vibration and resonance in the right way.
We will work with you to improve your voice so that you can be heard again!