Voice

Voice is the sound produced by vibration of the vocal folds (or vocal cords) in the larynx (voice box). A voice disorder occurs when the vocal folds do not vibrate well enough to produce a clear sound.

Yelling or making loud “play” sounds, throat clearing, and excessive coughing can cause a voice disorder. These voice behaviors cause the vocal folds to close hard against each other, causing blister-like bruises. These bruised areas can harden into callus-like bumps called vocal nodules.

The child with a voice disorder may have several of the following voice characteristics:

• Hoarseness

• Breathiness

• Raspiness

• Harshness

• Volume that is too loud or too soft

• Pitch that is too high or low for age

• Running out of air before the end of a sentence

Most voice disorders can be treated with voice therapy. Some voice disorders are treated by medication or surgery. Voice therapy consists of learning new patterns of voice production and eliminating old ones. Some of the therapy includes these:

• Identifying and eliminating harmful voice patterns (such as yelling, screaming and making superhero sounds)

• Improving vocal health by increasing water intake and avoiding caffeine

• Using specific voice exercises designed to balance and strengthen the vocal folds and other muscles of the larynx

• Learning to use the new voice production in everyday communication

If you have concerns about your child's voice quality, contact me for a screening or evaluation. You may also choose to ask your provider about it and seek answers from another SLP should school not be in session. In the meantime, here are some tips for a healthy voice:

https://prismaticspeech.com/hygiene/