A variety of treatment methods are available for voice disorders. The goal of voice therapy is to improve the function and strength of your vocal cords so they can breathe properly and speak clearly. Voice therapy is important for anyone who is worried about their voice quality or has had an injury to their vocal cords. It is also important to avoid smoking and stay restful so your vocal cords can rest properly. If you notice any changes in the quality of your voice, see a physician for treatment. Before visiting a doctor, write down your concerns and questions and prepare a list of them.
Vocal cord lesions
A speech-language pathologist is an excellent resource for patients who are concerned about vocal cord lesions. He or she can diagnose lesions by performing a thorough physical examination of the throat, head, and vocal cords. The otolaryngologist can use a special scope to see vocal cord vibrations, identifying lesions and the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Treatment for vocal cord lesions often includes voice therapy, voice rest, or a combination of these approaches.
Treatment for vocal cord lesions depends on the severity of the condition and the demands placed on the voice. For example, a singer suffering from benign vocal cord lesions may undergo voice therapy to improve her speaking voice, but may ultimately need surgery to restore her singing voice. Successful treatment is highly individual and based on the patient’s specific needs and the otolaryngologist’s clinical judgment. Vocal cord lesions and voice therapy are often the result of underlying medical problems.
Treatment options
Using different techniques, voice therapy can restore the patient’s natural, beautiful voice. While attempting to correct a voice disorder, therapists take into account the cause and the causes of the disorder to devise a treatment plan. Some therapies use psychological treatments as well. During a treatment session, the therapist will consider the cause of the disorder as well as the cause of the voice problem to determine which exercises will be most effective.
Inflammation or swelling of the vocal cords can be the result of several different things, including medical conditions that affect the nerves that control the voice. Voice disorders may also result from chronic inflammation of the larynx or certain hormonal conditions. Fortunately, treatment options for these conditions are relatively extensive. In most cases, however, treatments for voice disorders must be tailored to the specific needs of the patient. Treatment options for voice therapy vary from person to person, so it’s important to consult your physician for a full diagnosis.
Limitations of treatment
One study published in 1994 reported positive results for voice therapy in people with vocal cord tumors. However, limitations of the study made it impossible to determine the long-term effects of voice therapy. In addition, the study did not control for the influence of contact time, which may interfere with generalizability of the findings. Another study was published in 1999, but the results were not as robust. However, the results in these studies are still worth considering.
The results of such studies are often limited, as most of them do not include a control group. Studies by Stepp et al., Lee and Son, Birkent et al., and Roy et al. failed to report a control group. These results suggest that voice therapy is not a cure for a vocal cord tumor. The results of such studies are not reliable and may not be relevant for all patients.
Cost of treatment
A voice specialist will use a variety of techniques to help patients improve their vocal performance. For example, patients may be taught how to produce a clear voice, maintain an appropriate posture, and practice optimal breathing patterns. Additionally, patients may be advised to avoid speaking when they are ill, as fatigue and dehydration affect the mucosa covering the vocal cords. Finally, patients may also be instructed to avoid smoking or other factors that could affect the tone and lubrication of the vocal cords.
In a study that compared the cost of voice rehabilitation to the cost of no rehabilitation, the researchers calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for both treatments. They determined that, for the same treatment, voice rehabilitation would be significantly cheaper than no voice therapy. The difference in cost and QALYs between the two treatments was statistically significant, and the results are plotted on a cost-effectiveness plane. The cost-effectiveness of voice rehabilitation was found to be 66% cheaper than the alternative treatment, with the lower-cost treatment resulting in higher QALYs.
