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. Normal voice production depends on power and airflow supplied by the respiratory system; laryngeal muscle strength, balance, coordination, and stamina; and coordination among these with the pharynx, oral cavity, nasal cavity.
Consult TBC if the following voice disorder symptoms are observed:
- Dry, scratchy or sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
- Inability to speak loudly
- Limited quality of voice
- Difficulty in eating
- Difficulty in breathing
A disturbance in one of the three subsystems of voice production or in the physiological balance among the systems, may lead to voice disturbance. Disruptions can be due to organic, functional, and/or psychogenic causes.
Structural causes
- Vocal fold abnormalities
- Inflammation of the larynx
- Trauma to the larynx from intubation, chemical exposure, or external trauma.
Neurological causes
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis
- Adductor/abductor spasmodic dysphonia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Motor neuron disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Multiple sclerosis
Functional causes
- Phono-trauma, including yelling, screaming, excessive throat-clearing
- Muscle tension dysphonia
- Ventricular phonation
- Vocal fatigue
Psychogenic causes
- Chronic stress disorders
- Anxiety or depression
- Depression
- Conversion reaction (cannot be explained by medical evaluation)
Signs and symptoms can occur in isolation or in combination. As treatment progresses, some may dissipate. Here are some of the most common symptoms patients may experience when suffering from a voice disorder:
- Roughness
- Breathiness
- Strained Quality
- Strangled Quality
- Abnormal Pitch
- Abnormal Loudness/volume
- Abnormal Resonance
- Aphonia (loss of voice)
- Asthenia (weak voice)
- Gurgly/wet sounding voice (especially after eating)
- Hoarse Voice
- Pulsed Voice
- Shrill Voice
- Shaky Voice
Other signs and symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Increased vocal effort associated with speaking
- Running out of breath quickly
- Variable vocal quality throughout the day or during speaking
- Decreased vocal endurance or onset of fatigue with prolonged voice use
- Frequent coughing or throat clearing (may worsen with increased voice use)
- Excessive throat or laryngeal tension/pain/tenderness.
Geared with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that allows our therapists to conduct a complete and thorough voice evaluation, Talking Brains Center has all the tools to assess, diagnose and treat your voice condition.
The evaluation takes 1 to 2 hours to complete. Depending on the results of the voice evaluation, we may recommend that you see an otolaryngologist/ENT physician for medical evaluation. Our therapists and/or the ENT may also recommend voice therapy as the next appropriate step.
The type and severity of the disorder determines the treatment selection needed by every individual. Our Lebanese speech therapists in Dubai are sensitive to cultural, linguistic, and individual variables when selecting appropriate approaches. We offer speech therapy in English, French and Arabic.
At TBC, our Lebanese Therapists in Dubai provide therapy sessions in Arabic, French, and English to help clients overcome mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as occupational therapy, psychomotor and speech therapy.
