Voice Therapy

When people think about voice therapy, they often imagine exercises that train the voice directly. While that is certainly one approach, voice therapy can also involve working with the body itself to release tension. This can involve improving posture, and directly releasing muscle tension, to create the right conditions for the voice to function more freely.

Small talk is something that many people do not always feel comfortable with. Some may feel they do not know what to say or how to carry the conversation because it feels awkward. Others may feel the conversation is pointless and forced and do not try to put much effort into it. Even though it may feel this way sometimes, whether the conversation feels important or not, it is a window to building relationships and potentially even starting longer conversations.

When most people think about their voice, they tend to focus on the sound that comes out of their mouth. They might notice the pitch of their voice, whether it is high or low. They might notice the loudness, whether they are speaking softly or projecting strongly. But there is another important quality of the voice that often goes unnoticed until something feels “off.” This quality is called vocal resonance.

Often I have clients telling me they feel like they have a lump in their throat or they are out of breath when speaking, and this is most often the cause of tension due to anxiety. But the good news is these voice symptoms that appear can be managed with the proper tools and techniques.

Breathing is something we do without thinking. Most adults take between 12-20 breaths per minute, which translates to over 20,000 times a day. But when we begin to pay attention to how we breathe, we can discover powerful tools for improving our voice and calming our nervous system.

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I often work with adults who come in with voice concerns that affect their work, their confidence, and their quality of life. One therapy approach that many people find helpful is called Conversation Training Therapy, or CTT. It’s a newer method that’s gaining attention for being practical, efficient, and very much focused on real life. In this blog post, I would like to walk you through what CTT is, who it is for, how it works. My hope is that by the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how this type of therapy might help you find ease and confidence in your voice again.

Neurological voice disorders are voice disorders that are caused due to any damage in the nervous system. This may affect the pitch, quality, volume of the voice and may also result in an increase in the vocal effort to produce speech. These disorders not only reduce a person’s ability to speak clearly but can also significantly affect their quality of life, self-esteem, and social interaction.

Apraxia is a neurological condition, where a person is unable to do a task intentionally, even though they do not have any muscle weakness or incoordination. Apraxia is caused due to damage in the areas of the brain that are responsible for motor planning and motor execution. Because of this, people with Apraxia find it difficult to perform a task when instructed.  

This article outlines the anatomy and physiology of the voice, vocal health and how to use your voice effectively to exude confidence and clarity.

Voice is generally characterized by pitch, volume and quality. Generally, an average voice often has an appropriate pitch, good quality and an adequate amount of volume. Rapid changes in these often result in an unstable voice.