| Voice
therapy is used to return the voice to its highest and most functional use by
(1) application of vocal hygiene principles to daily use of the voice; (2) a series
of specific therapeutic exercises to improve voice quality and (3) application
of voice exercises in daily speaking and /or singing.
What
is vocal hygiene?
Vocal hygiene is a daily regimen for reducing or
eliminating environmental and behavior al factors than may damage the voice. For
example, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, exposure to fumes and chemicals and
frequent shouting are some activities that may damage the vocal folds. Adequate
water intake to lubricate body tissues, regular exercise and a well balanced diet
are positive aspects of vocal hygiene and contribute to the overall success of
voice use. Like dental hygiene, vocal hygiene is a daily routine to keep the voice
functioning at its highest and most efficient level.
What
is the "silent cough?"
The silent cough technique is a
way to clear the throat without violently banging the vocal folds together. The
silent cough is done by breathing in air and blowing the air out fast through
your throat and mouth without making a sound. Immediately after the silent cough,
you should tuck your chin down toward your chest and make a strong swallow. The
silent cough often clears mucous that clings to the vocal folds or near them.
The silent cough is an important element of vocal hygiene and helps to prevent
unnecessary trauma to the vocal folds. It is especially important to use the silent
cough after surgery to the vocal folds.
Is
there a difference between vocal nodules, vocal polyps and vocal cysts?
YES! Vocal fold nodules come in pairs, one on each vocal fold, typically
across from each other. They are sometimes called "kissing nodules"
since they look alike and touch before the vocal folds close during vibration. Vocal
polyps and cysts are masses on the vocal folds that usually develop after trauma
to the vocal folds either from severe laryngitis, singing, crying, coughing or
talking excessively when sick. These bumps can improve with voice therapy and
the voice may sound better after vocal hygiene and voice therapy. These lesions
usually require surgical removal to fully restore the voice.
How
are the polyps and cysts removed surgically?
When surgery is recommended
to treat a lesion on the vocal folds, a general anesthesia is used to put the
patient to sleep to prevent him or her from moving during the surgery. A small
tube is placed through the mouth into the windpipe to allow the anesthesiologist
to regulate your breathing. A high powered microscope is then used with special
instruments to remove the lesion. Usually, the patient goes home the same day.
How does
one find a voice therapist? Voice
therapists are speech-language pathologists (SLP), licensed by each state and
certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Voice therapists
specialize in treating voice disorders and may be identified through specific
subdivisions of ASHA or by their continued involvement with groups, organizations
and societies whose primary interest is care of the voice. Are
voice therapists singing teachers?
Most voice therapists are speech-language
pathologists and not singing teachers. Singing teachers teach people how to sing
and voice therapists help to restore normal vocal function to injured voices.
Singing teachers have their own associations and are not licensed to practice
voice therapy as a medical specialty. There are however a few singing teachers
who are speech-language pathologists with a license to practice voice therapy
and who also teach singing.
Can
someone with a weak voice be helped?
There are many ways to increase the loudness and projection of the voice.
Voice therapy techniques which focus on building resonance and loudness can be
successful. If a vocal fold paralysis or vocal fold atrophy is found, surgical
corrections, some of which can be done in the
office are possible to improve
the strength of the voice. | 
