A voice disorder impacts voice quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort.

Signs may include:

• Rough, breathy, strained, or strangles vocal quality

• Change in pitch (too high/low, reduced range, breaks)

• Change in loudness

• Nasality/hyponasality

• Loss of voice/aphonia

• Breaks in voice

• Tremors

 

Voice disorders occur at any age and are commonly seen in:

• Post-Stroke

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Coaches/Athlete's

• Teachers

• Service Industries

 

Voice Changes Due To Parkinson’s Disease 

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 89% of individuals with PD will experience changes in their voice. Sophia is SpeakOut! certified which applies the principles of motor planning to increase vocal volume and participation in conversation

 

 

Neurogenic/Post-Stroke Vocal Changes

Treatment can address vocal tremor, spasmodic dysphonia, and/or vocal fold paralysis

 

 

Paradoxical Vocal Fold​ Movement (PVFM)

SLPs can help identify abnormal laryngeal and respiratory function and to teach various techniques including:

• Vocal exercises

• Relaxation techniques

• Quick-release breathing

• Proper breath management

​

Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder occurring from brain or nerve damage that changes the way your muscles move. Signs may include:

• Slurred/mumbled speech

• Talking too fast or too slow

• Excessive vocal loudness or very low vocal volume

• Breathy, hoarse, harsh vocal quality

• Nasal

• Others have difficulty understanding you