In cases where the pitch (thinness-thickness of the voice), intensity (hoarseness or highness of the voice) and quality (roughness and hoarseness) of the voice begin to differ from other individuals depending on the geographical location, cultural environment, age and gender of the individual throughout his life. voice disorder occurs.
Voice disorders consist of four different causes. These are: organic, psychological, neurogenic and functional disorders. Nodules, polyps, cysts, reinke edema, muscle tension dysphonia, puberphonia (Mutational Falsetto), sulcus vocalis, vocal cord paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia etc. In such cases, patients should receive sound therapy by a speech and language therapist with the guidance of the relevant physician. Voice disorder may occur due to vocal abuse habits (constant shouting, etc.), medical reasons, chronic diseases, hormonal problems, stomach problems, habits (alcohol, cigarette consumption, etc.) or neurological disorders. Voice therapy is a program that aims to teach patients how to produce the best possible sound using their voice systems, how to recover from harm or illness and how to protect them, and includes exercises to provide the appropriate pitch, height and sound quality necessary for the health of the vocal cords. It is a preventive approach as part of an existing program to reduce or eliminate environmental influences and behaviors that may harm the voice, as well as to provide the use and care necessary to keep your voice healthy.
When you experience hoarseness, exertion while speaking, changes in your voice or discomfort in the larynx for more than ten days without a reason such as a cold or allergy, you can apply to an otolaryngologist and consult a speech and language therapist with the guidance of your doctor. You can get evaluation.
Pediatric Voice Disorders
Vocal cords are in a continuous development from infancy to adolescence and this development is examined under 3 different periods. The first period is a rapid development process that continues until the age of 3 years. The second period is a period of slow development that lasts until adolescence. The third period is the adolescence period. With this period, a re-acceleration in development is observed. While there is no difference between the larynx structures and voices of girls and boys, differentiation begins with the adolescence period. Childhood voice disorders are deviations that occur in any parameter of the voice (pitch, intonation, resonance, intensity, phonation, voice quality). It is seen between 6-23%. While it is more common in boys during the school period, it is more common in girls during adolescence.