What is voice therapy?
Voice therapy is a subspecialty within speech language pathology that deals with vocal health, quality, and support. An SLP experienced in voice designs a treatment program based on your medical voice concerns and lifestyle needs. This is different from singing or speaking voice lessons that focus only on technique and repertoire.
It can be particularly helpful for occupational voice users, like singers, speakers, actors, teachers, lawyers, podcasters, counselors, fitness instructors - anyone using their voice for work!
My doctor told me that my "old" sounding voice is just something that happens as I age and there's not much to do about it...is that true?
It depends! If your voice change is caused by aging vocal folds, there are great treatment options to strengthen and bulk them. Sometimes, however, there are conditions that there are no treatments for. It's better to have it checked out by a voice specialized ENT (laryngologist) or SLP to learn more.
How many sessions does voice therapy take, how does it work?
Therapy can range from one visit to many, but on average 4-12 visits to see effective, lasting change. It can also vary depending on what you are being seen for. We generally begin with a behavioral voice evaluation, acoustic and aerodynamic assessment of your voice, and videostroboscopy to get good images of the vocal folds in motion. Then we follow up with treatment sessions tailored to the findings and problems.
Does it hurt? Do I have to be on vocal rest for several weeks?
No and very likely no unless your doctor has prescribed this.
Do I have to take time off of work?
No, unless you want to schedule your appointments during the day. Many of our teachers schedule during their conference periods, or after school.
Do I have to have a problem to benefit from voice therapy?
No! We see many people for lessons to strengthen and refine vocal use, and prevent problems from ever starting in the first place. We also provide baseline videostroboscopy where occupational voice users get photos and a report about their vocal folds so that they can compare if problems come up in the future.
Do you also offer singing lessons?
Yes, but not for beginning singers. If you are new to singing, we have a great referral list for voice teachers who also understand and implement vocal health principles.
I have Parkinson's and my doctor told me I need to find a speech language pathologist to do LSVT - can you do that?
Yes! We offer several treatment programs including LSVT LOUD for Parkinson voice concerns.
I am seeking gender affirming services - do you offer that?
Yes! Sessions focus on vocal health, and discovering what voice characteristics (pitch, resonance, timber, prosody, non-verbal language, etc.) feel authentic to your own self.
I'm having asthma-like symptoms or spasms in my throat, but my doctor says that I don't have asthma - could you help with this?
Yes! You may have a diagnosis of vocal fold dysfunction, paradoxical vocal fold motion, laryngospasm, etc. We can help! If you are an athlete we can also help with these symptoms during exercise.
I can't stop coughing - I got sick but my cough never went away! Can you help?
Yes! We can help reduce and eliminiate chronic cough symptoms.
I am hoarse all the time for no apparent reason. Is this something you treat?
Yes! There can be many reasons for vocal hoarseness and fatigue, so the best bet is to have it checked by a voice specialized ENT (laryngologist) or SLP.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, we are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (including TRS for Texas teachers) and Medicare, and can courtesy bill if you have OON benefits in your plan. We also accept private pay.
For these or any other voice concerns, holler at us (healthfully) and get back on track! You can email at info@ntxvoice.com or call at 972-905-0677.