14 Sep What is Dysphonia?

Dysphonia Symptoms

Voice Disorders, also called Dysphonia, can include a variety of symptoms. Your voice may sound hoarse or raspy. It may become difficult to reach higher or lower pitches when speaking or singing. It may even become difficult to talk. Your throat may feel achy, raw or strained.

Dysphonia can also cause physical pain, a personal communication disability, and an occupational or social handicap. There are a number of diseases that can affect the voice, including Parkinson’s Disease, vocal cord nodules, polyps or cysts, cancer, reflux, and stroke.

There may also be environmental, occupational, medication, and lifestyle choices that can be the source of the onset of voice disorders. Treatment depends on the source of the problem. Following diagnosis by a physician, patients experiencing disorders of the voice are often referred to a Speech/Language Pathologist for speech therapy.

Dysphonia Treatment Therapy

The type of therapy recommended for voice disorders depends on the source of the problem. Therapy may address the relationship between voice and respiratory support, laryngeal muscle strength, control and stamina, and vocal hygiene. The overall goal for a patient with Dysphonia is optimal long-term voice quality and communication function with minimal recurrence. Even patients with a long history of dysphonia can often benefit from voice therapy. One of the most recognized treatment therapies is LSVT Loud (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment).

Voice therapy typically involves treatment once or twice a week for a period of 4 to 8 weeks. The duration of treatment is determined by the origin and severity of the disorder. Patient commitment to the practice and generalization of home exercise are a necessary component top the success of voice therapy.

To learn more about Dysphonia and other speech disorders, schedule an appointment to speak with one of our Speech/Language Pathologist.