Voice therapy is a treatment method that can be used for all voice problems. While it is used as the sole treatment method for some voice disorders, in others it can be used as a supportive method before and after medical (medication) or surgical treatment.Although it is very useful, there is no specific voice therapy method for any voice pathology. On the contrary, the voice therapy method, intensity and duration chosen for each patient should differ from each other according to the patient's needs. Ideally, the cause of the patient's voice problem should be determined before starting voice therapy. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform objective voice analysis and evaluate the vocal cords with videolaryngostroboscopy. The findings obtained should be evaluated together with the patient and the team that will play an active role in voice therapy (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist and Voice Pathologist) and, if the patient is a voice professional, with other people interested in his/her voice (Voice Coach, Singing Instructor, etc.) and therapy goals should be determined.
The sudden increase in knowledge about the larynx (larynx, larynx) in recent years has also increased interest in the physiology, disorders and treatment of voice and voice disorders. In this way, significant progress has been made in the objective evaluation of the voice and imaging of the vocal cords. Thus, much faster and more accurate diagnoses can be obtained and the treatment process can be started as soon as possible. Since the time constraints of both health professionals dealing with voice disorders and voice professionals who make a living with their voices increase day by day, today's voice therapy protocols are planned as approximately 6-10 sessions. Although the goals of each voice therapy method are different, there are some general goals that are universal to all voice therapy techniques. These are important both for voice therapies given before or after surgery, or for voice therapy to be used as a single treatment:
Patient education:Patient education is the first step for all treatment protocols. . Every patient must understand how the voice is formed and what kind of problem their problem causes in their voice. The patient must understand the rationale for voice therapy, the technique to be used, and the goals of the treatment. Treatment approach of the patient If the patient does not understand the treatment, or if the person who will perform the therapy is not determined or does not provide sufficient explanation, it will be difficult for the patient to comply with the treatment program. Voice hygiene:In addition to the voice hygiene rules that should be applied for each patient, Specific attention should be paid to each patient and the issues that should be done/don't be done accordingly should be determined. For example, it is important for all voice users to drink enough fluids and, if necessary, to humidify the environment. Having information about personal voice usage habits, knowing the environment where voice is used intensively and the noise characteristics in the environment, and examining other environmental factors will enable the acquisition of healthier voice habits. Not smoking, reducing general stress, and knowing the medications used and their effects on body fluids are also important requirements. Correction of excessive voice use:Ensuring that individuals with hoarseness speak in lower voices, It is important to prevent loud talking and avoid habitual or frequently repeated throat clearing. Total use of sound throughout the day should be reduced. Laughing loudly, crying and coughing are also behaviors that damage the voice. All these rules can be used for individuals with voice problems, except for patients with neurological or hypofunctional hoarseness. Agreed goals and expectations:The individual with the voice problem and the person who will provide voice therapy. The patient must be in agreement that there is a problem with the voice, that something needs to be done about it, the path to be followed and the intended goals. The patient should be able to notice the changes in his/her voice:If the patient If one cannot notice or feel the changes that occur with voice therapy, voice therapy cannot be beneficial. This is a situation that we do not encounter frequently in voice professionals, but we encounter frequently, especially in the elderly population and individuals with neurological problems. I wish you all a healthy voice...
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