When Should I Seek Help For a Vocal Disorder?
If you’ve been feeling like your voice isn’t what it used to be – uneven pitch, reduced range in speaking or singing, hoarseness – don’t delay in seeking help. Dysphonia (impairment of voice production) can have a variety of different causes such as inflammation, abnormalities of the vocal tract, neurological conditions, or excess muscle tension. Addressing the problem right away gives you the best odds for successful treatment, ensuring any issues won’t become more serious over time.
When to Seek Help
If you are struggling with dysphonia that persists for more than two weeks, it is important to seek professional medical assistance from an Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist). ENTs are physicians that specialize in the care of the ears, nose, and throat. While it can be alarming to go to the doctor for a voice issue, seeking the expertise of an ENT physician can help you discover why your voice isn’t performing as normal and bring you relief. Knowledge is power! Your ENT can diagnose the problem and point you in the right direction for help.
Some signs and symptoms to look out for include:
• Persistent changes in vocal quality, or difficulty speaking
• Loss of vocal range, volume, or pitch control
• Painful or uncomfortable sensations when speaking or singing
• A foreign body sensation in the throat while speaking
• Chronic coughing or throat clearing during speech/singing
• Fatigue from voice use (after extended periods of talking)
Depending on the diagnosis, the next step may be referral to a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for Voice Therapy. Your SLP typically conducts a voice evaluation to determine what is causing the disorder and how best to treat it. Eloquium Speech Therapy can help with this.
Treatment plans are individualized and designed specifically to meet your particular needs – they may involve exercises that improve vocal quality and instruction on how to conserve and modify your speaking behavior. More often than not, these strategies can be incredibly helpful in improving voice issues and can make all the difference in restoring a strong, functional voice.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of a voice disorder, it is important to seek professional help right away. An Otolaryngologist can provide an accurate diagnosis and referral to the appropriate specialist in order to begin treatment. If your doctor feels that Voice Therapy may help, reach out to a voice trained Speech Language Pathologist. Voice Therapy can improve vocal quality, strength, and endurance.
