The Mysuru-based All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), a premier institute in the field of speech and hearing, has highlighted its facilities that are available for treating individuals with voice disorders. It said voice helps to reflect one’s identity and individuals need to consciously practice appropriate, efficient and hygienic methods of voice use.
On the occasion of World Voice Day which is observed on April 16, K. Yeshoda, Chairperson, Clinic for Persons with Voice Disorders, AIISH, said voice therapy is a systematic treatment and the treatment procedures have to be practised regularly by patients.
Dr. Yeshoda, who is an Associate Professor in Speech Sciences and HoD, Material Development, AIISH, said in a note here that most voice problems occur due to unhealthy habits of excessive talking and misuse of voice. Common vocal abuse behaviours are shouting, screaming, talking continuously, lengthy phone conversations, talking for long hours, excessive crying, and irritating sounds. Unhealthy lifestyles also contribute to the risk of voice problems. Health related issues such as cough, cold, and throat pain also cause voice problems. Such problems are usually solved by voice therapy.
The therapy also includes treating voice problems in singers, actors, teachers, and all others who use voice as part of their profession. Extensive use of voice for meeting professional demands will result in vocal abuse and vocal misuse leading to abnormal voice. When voice problems persist for more than three weeks then it is important to consult specialists/ professionals for early diagnosis and effective management of voice problems, she suggested.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)/ Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs)/ Speech-Language Clinicians are the qualified professionals who carry out voice therapy, she said.
This year’s theme of World Voice Day is ‘Lift Your Voice’.
