FAQS

The voice therapist is a speech pathologist who specifically concentrates on treating the voice disorders. The voice therapist’s focus is more concentrated . In other words a voice therapist is a speech therapist who has specialized in area of voice and/or has vast experience of treating voice related Disorders.

In case of vocal surgeries , Voice Therapy is needed before and after surgery. Voice Therapist works to prevent the recurrence of previously held disorders , usually in combination with other medication and interventions. In almost all the cases, the voice therapist will work to improve the condition of the patient , and if successful in doing so, can save the patient from having to receive surgery at all. Voice therapy is also needed for enhancement and maintenance of voice of professional voice users who do not have any pathology but wish to improve their voice.

Speech is a sound produced by a person after modification of the sound wave by the lips, teeth ,tongue , palate and throat of a person . Voice is the sound that is produced by Larynx or voice box . It is the noise maker upon which the sound produced is modified to ultimately produce speech . In other words , Voice is created prior to speech.

Speech therapy is a term that encompasses a variety of therapies including Voice Therapy. Voice therapy is administered for voice disorders/complaints specifically.

It is a program designed to improve voice quality through guided changes in vocal behaviours and life style changes . It consists of variety of tasks designed to eliminate harmful vocal behaviour , shape healthy vocal behaviour and assist in vocal cord wound healing after surgery or injury. It is also a program designed for maintenance and enhancement of vocal quality in professional voice users.

Voice Therapy for hoarseness generally consists of one or two therapy sessions each week for 4-8 weeks . The duration of therapy is determined by the origin of the hoarseness, severity of the problem , co-occurring medical therapy and most importantly patient’s commitment to the practice and generation of new vocal behaviours outside the therapy session .

Changes in a person’s voice can indicate anything from a common cold or acid reflux to vocal cord paralysis or throat cancer. Thankfully , most voice changes are temporary and self-limiting , but if they last longer than a few weeks, they can signal serious problems . Early attention to voice changes can literally make the difference between life and death for throat cancer patients , and in other cases help resolve more minor issues before serious ones develop.

Most common treatment is : Vocal Hygiene , Voice Therapy ,Medication, Phono surgery Treatment options can vary according to the degree of severity of the lesion and voice demands of the patient. Successful treatment is highly individual and includes consideration of the patients vocal needs and the clinical judgement of the team of otolaryngologist and Voice Therapist.