What Are the Best Treatments for Voice Disorders?

Treating voice disorders involves a multifaceted approach that integrates various therapies and collaborations with medical specialists. Speech therapists play a central role in enhancing voice production and coordination between breathing and vocal functions. This guide explores different treatment methods and the professionals involved in managing voice disorders.

Voice disorder treatment covers a wide range of goals, approaches, and specialists. Primarily, speech therapists lead interventions to enhance voice production and ensure proper coordination between breathing and vocal functions.

Collaborating with Other Professionals

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work closely with otolaryngologists and other medical experts, such as pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, and allergists. While SLPs diagnose functional abnormalities, otolaryngologists diagnose structural issues like nodules or tumors. For conditions like functional aphonia or muscle tension dysphonia, psychological counselling might be beneficial alongside SLP interventions.

Types of Voice Disorder Treatments

Voice therapy is crucial for complex voice disorders. There are two main types of approaches:

  1. Physiological Voice Therapy: This aims to balance the voice production systems (respiration, phonation, resonance). Key methods include:
  • Accent Method: Coordinates breathing and speaking while relaxing vocal cords.
  • Conversation Training Therapy: Uses relevant conversations to improve speech and incorporates gestures and expressions.
  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT): Originally for Parkinson’s patients, it enhances phonatory and respiratory functions through simple tasks.
  • Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE): Uses pitch and loudness variations to strengthen the voice.
  • Resonance Therapy: Develops easy phonation from basic speech to conversational levels.
  1. Symptomatic Voice Therapy: Focuses on modifying vocal symptoms using various techniques:
  • Biofeedback: Provides visual or auditory feedback to help control voice functions.
  • Auditory Masking: Uses background noise to teach voice amplification.
  • Posture Adjustment: Encourages an upright posture for easier voice production.
  • Relaxation Techniques: Reduces tension in the body and larynx.
  • Tension Release Exercises*: Includes massage and stretching to ease muscle tension.
  • Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises*: Utilizes humming, straw phonation, and lip trills.
  • Yawn/Sigh Method*: Relaxes the vocal mechanism.

Medical Treatments

Some voice disorders might need medical or surgical interventions, such as removing polyps or nodules and using Botox injections to relax tight vocal muscles.

The Role of the Speech Therapist

A specialized speech therapist helps by:

  • Eliminating harmful vocal behaviors.
  • Reducing muscle tension to heal vocal cord issues.
  • Supporting vocal cord recovery post-surgery or injury.
  • Promoting healthy vocal practices.
  • Preventing common problems like hoarseness and laryngitis.
  • Improving overall voice quality in terms of pitch, resonance, and loudness.

Voice therapy carries no risks and can significantly improve vocal health and function through tailored methods and techniques. This therapy can be conducted before some surgical and medical procedures and post medical procedures

Conclusion:

Voice disorder treatment encompasses a range of therapies and medical interventions aimed at improving vocal function and health. For a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating voice disorders, see our related blog post on “What Are the Main Symptoms, Causes and Preventive Measures of Voice Disorders in Adults?”. At Talking Brains Dubai, our expert speech therapists work with a team of specialists to provide personalized care for optimal vocal health.