Assessment and therapy when speech becomes unclear or the voice changes, whether the cause is muscle control, vocal cord function or something else.
Losing the ability to speak fluently can turn even simple moments — chatting with family, ordering coffee — into a real hassle. The good news is that most speech and voice disorders are treatable, often without medication or surgery. Voice itself is the sound produced when air from the lungs passes over the vocal cords — tissues inside the larynx (voice box) that vibrate to produce speech. A voice disorder usually comes down to a problem with volume, pitch, tone, or another quality of that sound, caused by something interfering with normal vocal cord movement. Common underlying causes include growth, inflammation, nerve problems, vocal abuse, and hormonal changes.
Voice problems often show up at work.A few conditions account for a large share of voice disorders.
Speech and voice disorders affect a large number of children and adults, and speech therapy is often the key step toward fluent, comfortable speech again. Treatment typically involves exercises that reduce inflammation and address the specific issue affecting the voice, and in many cases can prevent the need for surgery or other invasive procedures. Here's how we approach some of the most common speech and voice signs.
Simple exercises help the voice work more easily.A weak or quivering voice usually comes from constriction in the throat, and it's especially common with spasmodic voice disorders — spasmodic dysphonia alone affects more than 50,000 people in North America. We work with patients on breath control during speech and on tongue placement, both of which support more fluent speaking.
A hoarse or fading voice usually means the vocal cords are swollen, most often from a sore throat or a bad cough, though hoarseness can also appear without any illness at all — sometimes from vocal cord paralysis or vocal abuse. Lifestyle changes like cutting back on cigarettes, spicy food, and alcohol can help, along with resting the voice and avoiding speaking too loudly. For more persistent, chronic voice issues, we help identify the specific behaviors contributing to the condition and coach healthier vocal habits in their place.
A strained or choppy voice is another common sign of spasmodic dysphonia, usually related to a problem with the larynx muscle. Because it tends to develop gradually, it can be easy to miss at first. We guide patients through exercises that strengthen the affected muscles to help restore normal speech.
A breathy voice points to the vocal cords not closing or vibrating properly, which can result from a polyp, a benign tumor, thyroid or laryngeal cancer, or spasmodic dysphonia. When the cause isn't a tumor requiring surgery, speech therapy is usually a strong solution — we train patients to compensate for a paralyzed vocal cord by working on breathing, pitch, and head positioning while speaking.
Muscle tension dysphonia often causes pain or discomfort while speaking or singing, generally from overusing or misusing the muscles around the larynx — nodules or polyps on the vocal cords can contribute as well. We customize therapy to the specific type and severity of each patient's condition, starting by identifying what's triggering the problem and then building a plan to work through those triggers. Medication or surgery can help in some cases, though neither guarantees the condition won't return — voice therapy focuses on breaking the speech habits that keep triggering it in the first place.
Pain or strain when using the voice should never be ignored.Teachers, tutors, preachers, and singers are especially prone to vocal fatigue, and overusing the vocal cords can lead to long-term damage if it isn't addressed. Anyone who relies heavily on their voice benefits from a voice therapy program — we teach techniques to speak without straining the vocal cords, along with exercises that can help reverse damage that's already occurred.
Trauma to the vocal cords can lead to a range of voice disorders, and even surgery to remove nodules or treat thyroid cancer — while necessary — can leave a patient with a lingering voice disorder afterward. We focus on reducing strain on the voice and supporting a faster, more comfortable healing process.
Speech-language pathologists bring specialized training that general practitioners typically don't have in this area, which means faster, more accurate diagnosis and a clear path toward a smoother, more audible voice. Our main goals when treating a speech or voice disorder:
Celebrating every step toward a stronger voice.Speech and voice disorders call for specialized attention that a general practitioner often can't provide directly, which is why so many patients are referred out to a speech therapist. We build a customized treatment plan around each patient's specific needs, at any age, because voice and speech problems shouldn't stand in the way of the things you love doing.
A plan built around how you use your voice.Call, text, or fill out our form — we'll set up your free consultation within 24 hours.
