If you are experiencing difficulty with speech, voice or swallowing function, your physician may recommend that you seek help from a speech-language pathologist . Some changes in voice are age related, and often times, a brief period of instruction from a speech/voice therapist which includes instruction in: proper breathing vocal health and proper voice use can yield significant improvement. Other times, of course, speech and language and voice changes are due to a neurological disease, and speech therapy treatment may be more intense , and individuals may have to have periodic visits with a speech-language pathologist knowledgeable about their disease. Many diseases that change voice and speech may also have an impact on swallowing function, and a speech-language pathologist may also evaluate and provide treatment for swallowing disorders.
Prevention of speech and hearing problems from developing is also important. Even as an adult, there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of developing a communication disorders. For example, if you are a smoker, quit, as many cancers of the head and neck are related to tobacco use. Voice misuse, such as constant throat clearing, can result in symptoms such as chronic hoarseness, and this symptom can often be reduced with instruction in proper vocal technique and habits. If you work in a noisy environment, wear hearing protection, and check those IPODS on yourself find your children , for it’s known that excessive noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss.
For more information abut speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders:
To locate a board certified audiologist: http://webportal.audiology.org/Custom/FindAnAudiologist.aspx
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