Adult voice therapy team

Adults with voice disorders

Many of us lose our voices from time to time from acute infections such as laryngitis but if your voice changes and does not go back to normal after three weeks then it is advised that you visit your GP. Voice problems can include:

• complete loss of voice (aphonia)
• hoarseness or breathiness of voice
• lack of power or a voice which tires quickly and becomes effortful to produce
• difficulties with pitch of the voice

Those in vocally demanding jobs such as teachers, receptionists, actors are more susceptible to voice problems. Timely intervention can help if your voice problem is affecting your ability to work. Voice disorders (dysphonia) can have a wide range of causes which will be investigated by an ENT doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat) prior to your SLT appointment.

What can I do to get help?

Before seeing a Speech and Language Therapist you will need to have an ENT (ear, nose and throat) examination. The role of the Speech and Language Therapist is to:

• assess which factors are affecting your voice
• educate you on how the voice works
• give you personalised voice care advice
• provide you with exercises to allow the voice to work better

For further information you can access the British Voice Association website:

• British Voice Association