VOICE THERAPY

Do you find that your voice doesn’t suit you or isn’t serving your needs? Is it too loud, too hoarse, or too high or low in pitch? Does your voice become fatigued throughout the day, wobble, or cut out entirely?

When symptoms like these interfere with your ability to communicate and participate in work, school, or leisure activities, it may be useful to have a voice assessment and therapy to address these concerns.

What does a voice assessment look like?

A detailed case history: We will take a case history to determine biological, behavioural, psychological, emotional, medical, and environmental factors which may have influenced the onset or maintenance of your voice concerns. This information will help us determine what type of therapy would be most beneficial.

Voice and acoustic assessment: We will take voice samples to help evaluate and document voice quality, volume, and pitch. These samples will help us identify which features of your voice should be targeted in therapy.

Medical consultation and imaging: We will collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved in your care. These may include ear, nose and throat doctors (ENTs) to determine how the structures and functioning of the larynx may be impacting your voice, or neurologists to help determine how a neurological condition may be influencing your voice.

What does voice therapy look like?

Treatment will vary depending on your unique situation but may include:

Exercises to strengthen and improve specific systems involved in voice, for example, optimizing respiration, improving articulation and posture, or reducing overall tension.
Identifying and eliminating vocally traumatic behaviours and habits such as excessive coughing, throat clearing, or shouting.
Learning how to care for your voice through vocal hygiene (staying hydrated, engaging in vocal rest, and learning how to safely shout).
Gender-affirming voice training to make your voice and other aspects of communication suit your gender identity.

Voice therapy