Background: Although psychological factors have been implicated in patients with functional dysphonia (FD), conventional voice therapy (CVT) typically targets the aberrant voice symptoms exclusively. Yet, CVT is not always successful, and in view of the significant adverse quality of life impact combined with the financial burden on the healthcare…

Introduction: Speech Language Therapy First Point of Contact Clinic (SLT-FPOCC) models can assist assessment of low-risk patient populations referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) services. To further improve ENT waitlist management and compliance with best-practice care, consideration of other low-risk populations that could be safely managed…

Purpose: Despite the high prevalence of primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD-1), its underlying mechanisms and their interrelationships have yet to be fully identified. The objectives of this integrative review were (a) to describe and classify the suggested underlying mechanisms for MTD-1, (b) to appraise the empirical evidence supporting each…

Purpose: This study attempts to gain insights into the role of daily voice use in the etiology and pathophysiology of phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH) by applying a logistic regression-based daily phonotrauma index (DPI) to predict group-based improvements in patients with PVH after laryngeal surgery and/or postsurgical voice therapy.…

Purpose: This study investigated whether metabolic respiratory requirements (treadmill workload) affected glottal valving in phonation, based on aerodynamic measures, when a sound pressure level (vocal SPL) is dictated as a target goal. Consistent with a theory of action, we hypothesized that adjustments in glottal valving as measured by laryngeal…

Adolescent students with voice disorders need information concerning the physiological, environmental, and psychosocial aspects of voice production. This paper describes a multiple-choice quiz format that has been used effectively as part of the awareness phase of vocal reeducation. (Author)

This article describes the nature and treatment of functional voice disorders in adolescents. It summarizes physiological and psychological changes that occur in adolescence; types of functional voice disorders common to that period; incidence; and possible causes, including risk factors. Three case studies illustrate the importance of careful…