Voice and Swallow

Voice and swallowing problems can originate from neurological, functional, or psychological diagnoses. Symptoms include changes in the sound and strength of your voice. Your voice might become hoarse and you may lose it by the end of the day. Professional voice users such as singers, actors, health-professionals and sportspeople are at greater risk of developing a voice disorder if they are using their voice incorrectly for longer periods and under stressful conditions. A person’s voice forms part of their identity. Voice quality changes or loss can result in distress and ongoing trauma. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate help to mitigate severe and ongoing problems.

Swallowing difficulties can occur due to anxiety about swallowing pills, muscle tension, as a result of brain damage from stroke, or neurological degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease.

We work with people who have problems with their voice, swallowing, and breathing. Breathing difficulties include chronic coughs that last for more than 8 weeks, or Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction, (paradoxical vocal fold motion/vocal fold dysfunction). 

A comprehensive assessment and treatment by a speech and language pathologist is paramount. You may be referred for an instrumental assessment to an ear, nose and throat specialist to check the function and structure of your larynx before commencing treatment.