What
is voice?
Voice is the sound
produced by the larynx (LAR-inks), commonly called the voice box.
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Where is the
larynx (voice box) located?
The larynx is
located in the neck. The "Adam's apple," seen most prominently on men, forms the
front of the larynx. The vocal folds extend back from the Adam's apple.
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How is voice
produced?
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. Contact us for more information.
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What is a
"normal" 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, too loud or too soft, too hoarse,breathy, or nasal. Sometimes a voice may seem
inappropriate for an individual,such as a high pitched voice in an adult male.
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What is a "problem" voice?
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.
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What causes a voice problem?
There are a variety
of causes of voice problems. Persons can become hoarse temporarily by cheering at a
baseball game, or an individual can sustain an injury that causes a paralysis of a vocal
fold. Misuse of the voice, such as talking too loudly or using a pitch level that is too
high or too low, can result in a voice problem. So can an improper breathing pattern.
Abuse of the vocal folds through excessive smoking can be damaging to the voice. Other
voice disorders occur without apparent cause and are thought to be neurologic in origin. Contact us for more information.
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What are some of the more common conditions related to voice
problems?
Swelling of the
folds after voice misuse is known as edema. Small growths that result from misusing the
voice are known as vocal nodules, nodes, or polyps.
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Can voice problems relating to misuse result in cancer?
Although smoking has
been identified as a cause of cancer of the larynx, faulty use of the voice is more likely
to cause nodules, nodes and polyps, or contact ulcers. Voice changes can be a sign of
cancer and a doctor should be consulted.
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What is an early sign of a voice problem requiring professional help?
If you have
hoarseness, voice change, or discomfort that lasts for more than ten days in the absence
of an allergy or cold, you should have an examination by a medical doctor. This
examination will help you decide whether your problem will require professional
assistance.
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How can voice problems be helped?
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
service. 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.
With some conditions, such as cancer of the larynx, a laryngologist may recommend surgery
and pre-surgical counseling with a speech-language pathologist. Contact us for more information.
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What is a speech-language pathologist?
A speech-language
pathologist is the professional who is trained at the master's or doctoral level to
perform the non-medical evaluation of a voice disorder and, when indicated, execute a plan
to improve voice. The speech-language pathologist will be licensed by the state of NJ and
will hold certification (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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How can I decide which is the most appropriate kind of help?
You will want to
consult with both the laryngologist and the speech-language pathologist since lasting
voice improvement is generally the result of a team approach. Contact us for more information.
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