Voice Therapy: Highlights

Voice therapy is one type of a group of treatments known as speech and language therapy, which is directed at treating a broad spectrum of communication disorders. Most types of speech and language therapy (including voice therapy) are provided by speech-language pathologists.

The general goal of voice therapy is to rehabilitate the patient's voice to a level of function that enables the patient to fulfill his or her daily voice and/or speech communication needs.

Voice therapy can include:

• Learning how the voice works and how it can be injured
• Vocal hygiene (a program of daily voice care)
• Vocal and/or respiratory exercises
• Home practice

The success of voice therapy is dependent upon:

• Correct medical diagnosis
• Proper functional assessment of voice use
• The therapist's knowledge and skill
• Patient compliance

Understanding Voice Therapy