VOICE PROBLEMS (DYSPHONIA)
Speech therapy can offer many treatments for dysphonia, which is the medical term for voice disorders.
change in voice quality i.e. hoarse, breathy or strained.
voicing is effortful and/or causes discomfort.
total loss of voice - aphonia
voice quality does not match gender.
What causes dysphonia?
-trauma to the voice box i.e. post surgery.
-misuse of the voice, which causes
structural changes i.e. vocal cord haemorrhage, cysts/polyps, vocal fold nodules.
-incorrect voicing techniques with
excess tension in the muscles of the voice box.
-nerve damage i.e. vocal fold paralysis.
-inflammation or infection of the voice box due to poor vocal hygiene.
-psychological reasons i.e. stress or anxiety.
