Speech and Language
Voice
A voice impairment is defined as “the abnormal production and/or absence of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration which is inappropriate for an individual’s age and/or sex” (ASHA, 1993, p. 40).
A voice impairment is defined as “the abnormal production and/or absence of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration which is inappropriate for an individual’s age and/or sex” (ASHA, 1993, p. 40).
Characteristics of a voice impairment may include:
Characteristics of a voice impairment may include:
- Hoarseness
- Harshness
- Breathiness
- Abnormal pitch
- Excessive or reduced nasal airflow (nasality)
- Abnormal volume
- Shorter duration of voicing (vocal cords vibrating together to produce sound)
- Vocal tension can affect voice quality
No child should be enrolled for voice therapy without prior examination by an ear, nose and throat physician.
Good Voice Strategies for Your Family
Good Voice Strategies for Your Family
- Set aside "quiet time" on a daily basis
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Drink plenty of water daily and stay hydrated. Avoid caffeinated beverages which have a drying effect on the body.
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Model a good voice volume. Decrease yelling, screaming, and sound effects while playing.
- To obtain someone's attention or when cheering for others, use whistles, clapping, and non-verbal signals.
- Move closer to the other person when talking.