Voice Evaluation and Treatment for Children and Adults

Ms. King is a Speech-language pathologist experienced in working with both sudden onset voice disorders from post-surgical trauma and intubation, infection, as well as disorders resulting from neurological degenerative diseases/disorders including Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Brain Tumors, Traumatic Brain Injury,Musko-Skeletal Tension, Vocal Abuse (Vocal Nodules), Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (Esophageal Dysphagia), Head and Neck cancer, and Speaking Valves.

Voice Disorders

Voice disorders refer to an alteration or distortion in voice quality and can be the result of acute trauma or a chronic condition. Who hasn't lost their voice at some point? The onset of voice disorders can be acute or slow. Sudden onset voice disorders include trauma, infection, stroke, intubation, tracheostomy, head and neck cancer. Slow developing voice disorders are typically caused by degenerative neurologic diseases, musculo-skeletal tension, vocal abuse/misuse, and gastro-esophageal reflux.

Signs and Symptoms of a Voice Disorder

• "I am on the phone all day. My voice starts out okay but by the end of the day I am hoarse and raspy."
• "My three-year old son screams all day and has no voice."
• "I can't speak loudly and feel like my voice has a breathy quality to it."
• "I have acid reflux."
• "I am a lawyer and have difficulty projecting my voice."
• "My voice has a tremor to it."
• "My mother had a stroke."

Common voice disorders include: vocal nodules, or polyps, paradoxical vocal fold movement, spasmodic dysphonia, chronic granuloma, and vocal fold paralysis.

*Upon completion of an individualized voice evaluation, a treatment plan is developed.