What is Voice Therapy and Why is it Helpful?

What is voice therapy?

Voice therapy is a specialized treatment method designed to address and manage various voice conditions, such as laryngitis, vocal fold lesions, or functional voice disorders. Administered by professionals such as speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, and voice coaches, this therapeutic approach aims to prevent, treat, and improve voice-related conditions. 

The primary goal of voice therapy is to instigate vocal cord exercises that bring about positive changes in vocal behaviors, help vocal cords heal, and restore the voice to its pre-disorder strength and quality. Furthermore, one significant application of voice therapy is in the realm of transgender healthcare. Gender-affirming voice therapy plays a crucial role in this arena. This particular form of therapy assists individuals in aligning their voice with their gender identity. 

Notably, the approach to voice therapy is highly individualized, acknowledging the unique nature of each case. Various therapeutic orientations are adopted based on the specific symptoms and causes of the voice disorder. For example, symptomatic voice therapy aims to modify the symptoms resulting from the disorder, while physiologic voice therapy addresses disturbances in the physiology of the vocal mechanism. 

How is Voice Therapy helpful?

Voice therapy is a multifaceted technique offering substantial benefits across various vocal health and well-being dimensions. Its efficacy extends to diverse aspects, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to address voice disorders and enhance their vocal performance. Here's a short list of the benefits of voice therapy. 

Restores and strengthens voice

One primary advantage of voice therapy is its capacity to restore and strengthen the voice. By targeting vocal behaviors and addressing areas of concern, such as the voice box, this therapeutic approach becomes instrumental in bringing the voice back to its original strength and quality, effectively mitigating the impact of voice disorders.

Improves the function, quality, and stamina of the voice

Voice therapy's positive impact on vocal health is comprehensive, encompassing function, quality, and stamina improvements. Often likened to "physical therapy for your voice," this form of therapy engages individuals in tailored exercise programs designed to address specific voice problems. 

Address voice-related concerns systematically

The therapeutic techniques and procedures embedded in voice therapy further contribute to its effectiveness. By focusing on crucial vocal parameters such as pitch, volume, and vocal fold closure, voice therapy provides a targeted and systematic approach to addressing a spectrum of voice-related concerns.

Support individuals undergoing gender transition

The inclusivity of voice therapy is further highlighted by its application in gender-affirming voice therapy, offering valuable support to individuals undergoing gender transition. This showcases the adaptability of this therapeutic modality to address a wide array of voice-related issues.

11 voice therapy techniques and exercises

Voice therapy encompasses diverse techniques and exercises meticulously designed to enhance vocal health and function. Here, we delve into the key voice therapy techniques and exercises commonly used in practice:

Vocal exercises

Guided vocal exercises constitute a fundamental component of voice therapy. They aim to refine breathing patterns, alleviate throat strain, and determine the optimal volume for robust and healthy speech. 

These exercises encompass a range of activities, from sustaining vowel sounds to practicing easy onsets, tense vowels, voiced vs. voiceless sounds, continuous voicing, going from a soft to loud voice, and open vowels. Each exercise serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall improvement of vocal capabilities.

Breathing exercises

Voice therapy incorporates breathing exercises that teach relaxed-throat and lower-abdominal breathing strategies, which are essential for managing breathing difficulties. These techniques facilitate smoother and more effortless breathing, which is crucial for vocal health.

Biofeedback treatment

Utilizing advanced technology, biofeedback treatment offers real-time feedback on physiological functions, empowering individuals to gain control over their voice production. This personalized approach enhances awareness and precision in vocal exercises, contributing to the overall efficacy of voice therapy.

Vocal hygiene

Voice hygiene strategies are integral to voice therapy, emphasizing practices that support and maintain vocal health. These include optimizing hydration, minimizing voice misuse or overuse, and avoiding habits like excessive throat clearing and coughing. Such preventive measures contribute to sustained vocal well-being.

Voice relaxation techniques

Voice therapy incorporates relaxation techniques to alleviate tension and strain in the voice, including throat muscle massages, yawning, and humming. These activities promote a more relaxed and supple vocal apparatus, fostering improved vocal quality and overall health.

Conversation training therapy (CTT)

CTT represents a unique voice therapy approach that utilizes conversational interactions to treat voice disorders. By integrating therapeutic elements into everyday communication, this technique enhances practical applicability and real-world effectiveness in managing voice challenges.

Circumlaryngeal massage

This specialized massage technique targets the muscles around the larynx to reduce tension and enhance voice quality. By directly addressing muscular tension, circumlaryngeal massage becomes valuable in the multifaceted voice therapy approach.

Vocal function exercises

Designed to enhance strength and voice production, vocal function exercises focus on easy onsets and forward focus. These exercises contribute to developing a more robust and controlled vocal output.

Flow phonation

Flow phonation emphasizes the outflow of air during phonation without throat tightness. This technique encourages a more natural and efficient vocal production, which is particularly beneficial in cultivating a sustainable and comfortable speaking voice.

Resonant voice therapy

Resonant voice therapy targets muscle tension dysphonia and aims to achieve a strong, clear voice with minimal vocal effort. This technique is instrumental in retraining the voice to optimize resonance and reduce strain.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®)

Developed specifically for individuals with Parkinson's disease, LSVT LOUD® focuses on increasing loudness and intelligibility by maximizing phonatory and respiratory function. This technique addresses the unique vocal challenges associated with Parkinson's disease, showcasing the adaptability of voice therapy.

When should you use voice therapy?

Voice therapy is a versatile and valuable intervention in various scenarios. Here are instances when voice therapy is often recommended:

Voice disorders

Voice therapy is recommended when patients experience voice disorders, which include conditions such as laryngitis, muscle tension dysphonia, spasmodic dysphonia, or vocal cord dysfunction. By addressing the root causes of these disorders, voice therapy aids in the restoration and improvement of vocal function.

Vocal tension and weakness

Voice therapy provides tailored solutions for vocal tension and weakness. Techniques like flow phonation and resonant voice therapy prove effective for addressing muscle tension dysphonia. In contrast, methods such as expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) and Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) target vocal weakness.

Traumatic vocal cord injury

Voice therapy is a beneficial avenue for individuals recovering from traumatic vocal cord injuries. This therapeutic approach contributes to rehabilitating and improving vocal health post-injury or surgery.

Post-surgery or illness

In specific post-surgery or illness scenarios, such as acute laryngitis or after voice surgery, voice therapy proves advantageous in facilitating recovery and optimizing vocal outcomes.

Addressing and preventing issues

Professionals using their voices extensively, including teachers, coaches, clergy members, performers, and telemarketers, may encounter voice-related challenges. Voice therapy serves as a valuable resource for addressing and preventing issues that may arise due to the demands of their vocations.

During speech therapy sessions

For children facing speech or language disorders, including vocal challenges, speech therapy, which encompasses voice therapy, becomes essential for improvement and development.