Before proper treatment/assessment by a SLP can begin, we recommend our patients be evaluated by Otolaryngologists (ENT’s) under visualization of the laryngeal pathology. Often abnormal laryngeal pathologies require medical management or both medical management and voice therapy.  Once a patient’s ENT has cleared them to receive outpatient voice therapy with a referral to the SLP, the SLP then begins a formal assessment to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

• Review of ENT/Medical Dx
• Patient-reported: VHI-10
• Auditory-Perceptual: CAPE-V
• S:Z Ratio/MPT
• Stimulability for more functional/comfortable voice use
• Videostroboscopy

• Vocal Function Exercises (Stemple, 1994, 2014)
• PhoRTE (Ziegler,et al., 2014)
• Stretch & Flow (Watts, et at., 2014)
• Lax Vox and Resonance Tubes (Tyrmi, et al., 2017)
• Resonant Voice Therapy (Stemple, 2014)
• Straw Phonation (Kapsner-Smith, et al. 2015)
• Conversation Training Therapy (Gartner-Schmidt, et al.2016)

• Hoarseness of Voice
• Vocal Fatigue
• Aphonia or voice loss
• Strained/Quivering voice
• Whispery or breathy voice
• A change in pitch

I’ve been experiencing changes in my voice since having COVID-19 what should I do?

At DVT we recommend beginning your voice assessment with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor). At DVT we are very fortunate to have a close working relationship with the ENT’s of Pinehurst Surgical ENT and other local ENT’s. After our ENTs have cleared our patient’s for a voice evaluation, we begin by  collecting the patient’s comprehensive medical history and history of the voice problem. Additionally,  we will complete auditory acoustic measurements using informal assessments and proceed with an instrumental assessment using videostroboscopy. Once all testing has concluded, we will sit down to develop a personalized plan of care to rehabilitate your underlying voice disorder.