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Speech-Language Pathologist
The speech-language pathologist is a key member of the Voice Care
Team, and is a certified, licensed healthcare professional,
ordinarily with either a master's or doctoral degree.
Education - Training - Certification
Track
After college, speech-language pathologists generally complete a
one- or two-year master's degree program, followed by a nine-month,
supervised "clinical fellowship," similar to a medical internship.
At the conclusion of the clinical fellowship year, speech-language
pathologists in the United States are certified by the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association, and use the letters "CCC-SLP"
after their names to indicate that they are certified.
Spectrum of Disorders in the Care of a Speech
Language Pathologist
Like otolaryngology, speech-language pathology is a broad field
that includes care of patients who have:
- had strokes or other neurological problems affecting speech
and swallowing
- undergone laryngectomy (removal of the larynx)
- swallowing disorders
- articulation problems
- stuttering problems
- craniofacial disorders
- other related fluency disorders of speech
Concept of Subspecialty in Voice – "Voice
Pathologist"
Some speech-language pathologists subspecialize in voice, which
includes care of the voice, and swallowing disorders. The
speech-language pathologist affiliated with a voice team is usually
such a subspecialist, and is often referred to as a "voice
pathologist" – although the term "voice pathologist" has not yet
received official recognition by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Training as a voice team speech language pathologist is evolving
to better provide speech-language pathology training programs that
provide extensive education in voice and voice disorders. Ideally,
voice team speech-language pathologists should have had training in
and become comfortable with caring for individuals with voice
problems. Subspeciality training is usually acquired through
apprenticeships, extra courses, symposia, or by obtaining a doctoral
degree that includes voice-related research.
Scope of Responsibilities
Speech-language pathologists are responsible for voice therapy
and rehabilitation which is analogous to physical therapy. The
speech-language pathologist analyzes voice use, and teaches proper
breath support, relaxation, and voice placement to optimize
speaking. A variety of techniques are utilized to accomplish this
goal. Speech-language pathologists do not ordinarily work with the
singing voice, although they are involved in the treatment of
speaking voices of singers.
Speech-language pathologists may be found in universities,
private offices, or freestanding speech and hearing centers. In the
United States, most are members of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association and its voice-related special
interest division (SID-3). Many speech-language pathologists with
special interest in voice in the United States and elsewhere are
also members of the Voice Foundation.
Role of Subspecialization in Voice Care
Like otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists who
subspecialize in voice care provide more incisive, state-of-the-art
treatment for voice disorders than most general speech-language
pathologists who care for patients with various problems
encompassing the entire field. So, it is worthwhile for patients
with voice disorders to seek out a subspecialist to improve the
likelihood of rapid, excellent treatment results. Referrals to
speech-language pathologists specializing in voice are usually
obtained through a laryngologist or otolaryngologist.
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