Voice Disorders
Children's Service Areas
A voice disorder is any abnormality in an individual’s quality, pitch or loudness. Common causes of voice disorders among children include:
- Vocal nodules (blisters on the vocal cords)
- Chronic laryngitis (swollen vocal cords)
- Vocal misuse/abuse
Vocal misuse/abuse is often the underlying cause of most vocal pathologies. That is, even in the presence of vocal nodules or laryngitis, behaviours of vocal misuse or abuse lead to the formation of these pathologies. The following behaviours are frequent examples of vocal abuse among children:
- Yelling
- Screaming
- Loud talking
- Frequent crying
- Vocal noises (e.g., roaring)
Voice therapy is a relatively quick course of therapy – average 10 sessions. Once the child and parents have been educated on vocal health and trained in proper voice use, the symptoms of the vocal disorder are often corrected. Also, future pathologies can be avoided once the behaviour that caused the voice disorder is eliminated.
Before a Speech-Language Pathologist commences voice evaluation or treatment, an evaluation by an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT) is necessary to diagnose the vocal pathology. The Speech-Language Pathologist can then develop an appropriate treatment plan in conjunction with the ENT’s diagnosis.
If your child has seen an ENT and voice therapy is the recommendation, contact us! We would love to help your child achieve a healthy voice and avoid future problems.
