Have you ever felt like your voice was getting hoarse or hoarse at the end of the day? Maybe you're a person who talks a lot. You might be a teacher, a lawyer, a salesperson, or a singer. Today we're going to talk about a very effective treatment for these types of voice problems. That's Voice Therapy.
What is Voice Therapy?
Simply put, Voice Therapy is a set of specific exercises and treatments that help someone with voice problems overcome those problems. Just like physiotherapy is used to treat a limb injury, this is a treatment for our voice.
These treatments mainly work to heal the vocal cords that produce your voice and change bad habits that damage your voice. Through these treatments, your voice can be strengthened, clarified, and brought back to as close to your original voice as possible. Sometimes, these treatments can also help prevent voice disorders before they occur.
First, let's see how our voice is formed.
This is a very interesting process. When we make a sound, air from our lungs travels through the windpipe (trachea) into the larynx, a part of the throat. Inside the larynx is the main part of our voice, the two vocal cords .
These are like the strings of a guitar, two flexible muscles. When air from the lungs passes through them, these two vocal cords vibrate. That vibration is what creates the sound waves that make up our voice.
Normally, a healthy person's two vocal cords vibrate together in the same way to produce a clear sound. However, if the function of these two vocal cords changes, if they do not close properly, do not open properly, or if they vibrate differently from each other, the quality of our voice changes. This means that the voice becomes hoarse, weak, or even completely lost.
Who needs voice therapy? What are these voice disorders?
Voice problems can affect anyone of any age, from young children to adults. If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may refer you for voice therapy.
| Condition | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Laryngitis | Swelling of the larynx due to allergies or respiratory infections such as the common cold. This usually improves once the underlying cause is treated. |
| Muscle Tension Dysphonia (Voice change due to muscle tension) | The muscles in the throat tighten due to unnecessary strain on the vocal cords while speaking. This causes the voice to sound tired. |
| Vocal Tremor (Spasmodic Dysphonia / Vocal Tremor) due to neurological disorders | This is a problem with the nervous system. The muscles in the larynx suddenly twitch or tremble. This causes the voice to crack when speaking. |
| Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) | Although the vocal cords should open when you inhale, they close in this situation. This can cause breathing difficulties at times, such as during exercise. |
| Vocal Cord Lesions | Small, non-cancerous growths (nodules, polyps, cysts) on the vocal cords. This condition is common in people who use their voices a lot, such as teachers and singers. |
| Vocal Cord Paralysis | Damage to the nerves can cause one or both vocal cords to stop working. This can cause hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). |
Who performs this treatment?
If you have a voice problem, your first appointment should be with an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT Surgeon) . This doctor may also be a Laryngologist.
After examining your condition, your doctor will refer you to a voice therapist. There are several specialists who can provide this treatment.
- Speech-Language Pathologist: They are the ones who mainly provide this treatment.
- Respiratory Therapist: If you have breathing problems, you may need their help.
- Voice Coach: They help people, especially singers, learn how to use their voices correctly.
What is done in Voice Therapy?
During this treatment session, your therapist will teach you various exercises to improve your voice function. These exercises may vary depending on your condition.
Think of it like going to a gym and working out under a trainer. But here we're working out our voices.
Mainly exercises like this are done:
- Breathing exercises: Controlling your breath is very important for speaking properly. These exercises teach you to control your diaphragm and use your breath as needed.
- Exercises to relax the throat muscles: Most of the time, voice problems arise because the throat muscles are unnecessarily tense while speaking. Stretching and massage can help reduce this tightness.
- Exercises to vibrate the voice correctly: Special vocal patterns are practiced that help to vibrate the vocal cords in a healthy way without damaging them. For example, humming softly, making sounds by vibrating the lips, and making sounds through a straw (straw phonation).
- Voice strengthening exercises: In cases where the vocal cords are weak, special exercises are performed to strengthen them and increase breathing strength.
What are the benefits of these treatments? How long does it take?
One of the biggest advantages of voice therapy is that it has no side effects or risks . It is a very safe treatment method.
For someone who uses their voice frequently, this treatment is very helpful in maintaining a healthy voice, that is, preventing disorders. Also, if there are conditions such as swelling or small tumors in the vocal cords, this treatment is essential to heal them and to restore the vocal cords after surgery.
The length of treatment varies depending on your condition. Most people will need to have this treatment once or twice a week for several months . But the most important thing here is that you do the exercises your therapist teaches you exactly at home . That practice is the biggest reason for the success of the treatment.
Things you can do to protect your voice
In addition to receiving treatment, we also need to take care of the things we do every day to keep our voices healthy. We call this "Vocal Hygiene."
| Good habit | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Drink plenty of water. | The vocal cords receive the necessary moisture, which maintains their flexibility. |
| Limit coffee and alcohol. | These can dry out the vocal cords because they reduce the body's water content. |
| Control other diseases | Things like allergies, persistent coughs, and acid reflux (GERD) due to gastritis can damage the vocal cords. |
| Give your voice a break. | If you are someone who talks or sings a lot, it is very important to give your voice a rest whenever possible. |
| Avoid smoking. | Smoking and smoke inhalation are the greatest damage to the vocal cords. |
When should you definitely see a doctor?
If you have any of the following symptoms, don't ignore them. See your doctor as soon as possible.
- If your voice has been hoarse for more than two weeks .
- If you have completely lost your voice (laryngitis) and it doesn't get better in a few weeks.
- If you feel a pain in your neck or a lump in your throat.
- If you have difficulty breathing.
- If you feel difficulty speaking or swallowing.
It is essential to seek medical advice as these symptoms can be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore changes in your voice, especially if you use your voice frequently.
- Voice Therapy is like physical therapy for the vocal cords. It is a very safe and effective treatment method.
- If you have a voice problem, the first step is to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
- You can keep your voice healthy with simple habits like drinking plenty of water daily and giving your voice a break.
- If hoarseness persists for more than two weeks, be sure to see a doctor.
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