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Communication Impairments  Voice Impairments
What is a Voice Impairment? Producing a voice that is able to be heard is something that most of us take for granted. "Voice is the sound produced by the larynx, commonly called the voice box. Air passes from the lungs through the larynx when you exhale. Generally there is no sound made by this simple act of breathing. By closing the vocal folds like a valve, the air passes gently between them, vibrating the folds and producing voice. A normal voice is judged according to whether the pitch, loudness, and quality are adequate for communication and suit a particular person. A person may use a pitch which is too high or too deep, intensity that is too loud or too soft, or voice quality may be too hoarse, breathy, or nasal. Sometimes a voice may seem inappropriate for an individual, such as a high-pitched voice in an adult male. Voice is a problem when the pitch, loudness, or quality calls attention to itself rather than to what the speaker is saying. It is also a problem if the speaker experiences pain or discomfort when speaking or singing. Many problems improve dramatically with the help of a speech-language pathologist. Some problems can profit by a combination of medical or surgical treatment and speech-language pathology services. When faulty use of the voice has caused a condition requiring surgery, the help of a speech-language pathologist will be necessary to avoid a recurrence of the problem. " from: "Questions/Answers about Voice Problems" ASHA Fact Sheet. "There are two major categories of voice problems in children--behavioral and medical. Behavioral causes are related to something the child is doing with his or her voice. The most common behavioral cause of voice problems in children is vocal abuse. Excessive screaming, cheering, shouting or loud talking are common causes of vocal cord nodules, polyps or edema. Excessive coughing or throat clearing can also cause these problems. Medical causes are related to illnesses such as infection, trauma, abnormal growths, inhalation of toxic chemicals and damage to the nerves that control the vocal cords." From: The Mayo Clinic (Rochester), Child & Adolescent Care Articles: What are Vocal Fold Polyps/Nodules a fact sheet from ASHA Resources: Voice Disorder Research Disorders of Vocal Abuse and Misuse - from the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Disorders of the Larynx and Voice from the Johns Hopkins Centre for Laryngeal and Voice Disorders. Voice Doctor.net "where you can find medically oriented information about your vocal cords, the voice and hoarseness." Research about Voice Disorders The primary NIH organization for research on Voice Disorders is the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Voice Disorder Links on the Internet |
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Speechville Express is a resource for families, educators, and medical professionals, offering information about language development in children, helping those who care for toddlers and young children who are late talkers, and connecting you with others who have been down this road. Language disorders and communication impairments included are apraxia, stuttering, pervasive developmental disorder, dysarthria, and aphasia, among others.
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Last updated: Tuesday, Mar 16th 2010
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