voice evaluation
Voice Disorders
Understanding and Overcoming Use and Abuse
We rely on our voices to communicate with other people. Many people are in professions that place a great demand on their voice. Unfortunately, these individuals tend to be the most prone to experiencing voice problems. Approximately 7.5 million people have disorders of the voice. Many of these voice disorders can be avoided by simply taking better care of your voice.
Voice disorders can significantly impact your personal and professional life, especially if your voice is a crucial tool in your daily activities. Dr. Melissa E. Heche specializes in diagnosing and treating voice disorders, with a particular focus on issues arising from vocal use and abuse.
What Are Voice Disorders
Voice disorders encompass a range of conditions that affect the quality, pitch, volume, or duration of your voice. These disorders can result from various factors, including medical conditions, vocal misuse, and overuse. Understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment and prevention.
Vocal Overuse occurs when the vocal cords are used excessively without adequate rest.
- Common Causes: Prolonged speaking, singing, shouting, or whispering without proper vocal breaks
- Symptoms: Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, loss of vocal range, and a persistent sore throat
Vocal Misuse involves using the voice in ways that strain or damage the vocal cords.
- Common Causes: Poor speaking or singing techniques, inappropriate pitch or volume, and unhealthy vocal habits
- Symptoms: Chronic hoarseness, voice cracking, strained or breathy voice, and throat discomfort
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is a condition in which stomach acid travels up the esophagus and reaches the throat and larynx (voice box). Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which primarily affects the esophagus, LPR specifically impacts the upper airway and can cause significant irritation to the vocal cords.
- Common Causes: Dietary/behavioral choices, GastroIntestinal/ENT diagnoses
- Symptoms: Persistent, hoarseness, changes and vocal quality, chronic throat clearing, globus pharyngeus (sensation of a lump in the throat), chronic cough, sore throat
These issues can lead to various voice disorders, such as:
- Nodules: Small, benign growths on the vocal cords caused by repeated strain
- Polyps: Soft, blister-like lesions that can form on the vocal cords
- Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the vocal cords
- Laryngitis: Inflammation of the vocal cords, often resulting from overuse or irritation
Diagnosis and Treatment
We use a comprehensive approach to diagnose voice disorders accurately. This includes:
- Vocal Health Assessment: A thorough evaluation of your vocal habits, medical history, and lifestyle.
- Laryngoscopy: A visual examination of the vocal cords using specialized equipment, in conjunction with an Ear, Nose, Throat evaluation
- Acoustic Analysis: Measuring vocal sound characteristics to identify abnormalities.
Treatment plans are tailored to address the specific needs of each patient, focusing on:
- Voice Therapy: Voice therapy helps you learn proper vocal techniques and habits to prevent further damage.
- Medical Interventions: When necessary, medical treatments such as medication or surgery may be recommended to address underlying conditions.
- Vocal Hygiene Education: We provide education on maintaining vocal health, including hydration, proper vocal warm-ups, and techniques to reduce strain.
- Dietary/Behavioral changes
Preventing voice disorders is as important as treating them. Here are a few tips to maintain a healthy voice:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords lubricated.
- Avoid Vocal Strain: Use amplification when speaking or singing in large spaces, and avoid shouting or whispering.
- Practice Good Vocal Habits: Warm up your voice before extensive use and practice proper breathing techniques.
- Rest Your Voice: Give your voice regular breaks, especially if you use it extensively for professional purposes.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal vocal health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your voice.
