Huntsville, AL 35801

Voice

Voice concerns the quality, loudness, strength, tone, and resonance of your voice. Vocal issues can develop overtime through a variety of behaviors or structural issues.

Why does it hurt when I speak? Why do I lose my voice?

These may be some questions you have if you’re experiencing voice difficulties, which may be any difficulties you have with loudness, speed of speech, tone of voice, and clearness. If your voice is raspy, breathy, too high, too low, hoarse, or sounds strained, you may have a voice disorder. Children and adults who frequently yell or scream may develop voice issues on their own from vocal hygiene issues or overuse.

Difficulties with voice can often be rehabilitated through regular speech therapy, but we always advise an initial visit with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) to rule out any physical issues that may be causing problems!

What if it's just how I'm using my voice?

Don’t worry if it’s not a structural issue affecting your “voice box.” Voice disorders can be caused by many, many factors. Overuse is a common cause of vocal issues, as well as sickness. Those who have been diagnosed with genetic disorders, suffered a stroke, or degenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s) may also have vocal difficulties.

When should I get my voice issues looked at?

How can you tell if it’s a voice issue - or serious enough that you want us to look at it? One of the easiest ways to tell it by thinking about the quality of the voice: is your voice often scratchy or overly breathy? Do you find yourself often speaking with strain or pain? A voice in need may also sound raspy, hoarse, very high or low, or squeaky.

If your voice can’t be described this way, but you simply don’t like how it sounds, fret not! Speech therapy may still be for you. Changing your vocal patterns, whether it’s for improving your singing, increasing the strength of your voice, adjusting your accent, or is part of your gender transition, can be done through speech therapy services.

How does speech therapy help?

Speech therapists determine how to best treat voice issues based on the cause of the vocal issues, general vocal hygiene, your breath support, and your goals for your voice. Identifying the cause of a voice disorder is very important, which is why we always recommend that you see an ENT before starting therapy services. ENT specialists are able to determine possible physical causes of voice issues and look at your “voice box” - also known medically as the vocal folds. Structural issues identified by an ENT may be resolved through prosthesis or surgical procedures, and they may or may not recommend speech therapy after.

Without ENT approval, speech therapy strategies can make some vocal issues worse! Think of a broken leg as an example: a physical therapist may be recommended, but not until after you’ve gotten a cast and been approved for therapy by a doctor! Imagine how much worse physical therapy would make an unhealed bone.

What does vocal therapy with a speech therapist look like?

Speech therapy looks different for everyone - voice treatment is often very individualized! Generally speaking, voice treatment includes a focus on reducing inappropriate vocal behaviors, addressing causes of vocal issues, teaching vocal strategies and appropriate vocal hygiene, providing vocal exercises, and more.

To learn more about vocal hygiene, feel free to look at our blog post here, or look into our links regarding voice in general!