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Communication

VOICE PROBLEMS

Does your child have a…..

  • Hoarse or breathy voice?

  • Nasal voice/speech?

  • Voice that is too loud or too soft?

  • Constant throat clearing?

  • High pitched voice?

  • An inconsistent ability to use their voice?

Children who are at risk of a voice disorder are those with…

  • A hearing impairment

  • A cleft palate

  • A loud or noisy voice

  • Constant talking or who speak too loudly

  • Impersonate people, animals etc

  • Gastroesophageal reflux or vomiting

  • Nasal problems such as upper respiratory infections eg. tonsillitis

  • A history of intubation/laryngeal trauma

  • Laryngeal abnormalities eg cysts, vocal cord paralysis

  • Are around or exposed to vocal irritants eg. Smoking, toxic sprays

  • Intake of high caffeine drinks

 

ASSESSMENT AND THERAPY

The speech pathologist will discuss your child’s feeding, medical and developmental history and vocal patterns. It is important to also discuss how the child uses their voice across a range of environments. The assessment will involve observing the child’s oral anatomy and movement of the lips, tongue, jaw and palate. Breath flow and voice production will be assessed.

 

The speech pathologist may want to discuss a hearing assessment and possible assessment by an Ear-Nose and Throat assessment to determine whether further investigation of the ears, palate or larynx is appropriate to further understand your child’s voice disorder and the underlying cause.

 

It is important for the speech pathologist to determine whether there is an underlying anatomical or physiological cause to their voice disorder and treat appropriately. 

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