Month: October 2023

By Kyle Traux, M.S.CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist Vegas Voice Institute

A common problem for people with aphasia and their caregivers is how to find opportunities to safely practice communication. In normal times, getting this would be relatively effortless: one would have the option of moving freely around one’s environment engaging others at will or joining social groups. For those less outgoing or not quite ready to strike up conversations with strangers or even place an order at a restaurant, there are groups one can join made up of individuals who share similar experiences with language loss and rehabilitation. But with so many of these avenues temporarily blocked because of
restrictions on social gathering, what can one do?

We at Vegas Voice Institute would like to help you find some options for increasing communication and language opportunities:

Chat on the phone or on-line– Communication with friends and family often allows for a less stressful and/or overwhelming experience as these tend to be people who are familiar with your difficulties with communication and can help support the conversation. Schedule recurring phone ‘dates’ with friends and family and use scripts or talking points to aid the conversation.

Practice with Apps- A variety of apps are tailor made for aphasia and offer a wide variety of skills to target. These apps are designed with the person with aphasia in mind and are thus user friendly. Check-in with your Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for advice on selecting apps to supplement speech therapy.

Join virtual groups- A few aphasia groups have moved online due to social restrictions. While it may not be the ideal way to satisfy our social needs, it may just be the best option we have for now. Check out Aphasia Recovery Connection on Facebook.

Write, Read and Listen- Pick up a pen and write a letter, keep a journal or practice writing something from memory, such as the Pledge of Allegiance. Try listening: Tune in to an audio book or browse the seemingly infinite library of podcasts. Dust off a favorite book: If your favorite author now appears too complex, pick up a magazine or even a book targeted toward younger readers. You may find support in aphasia friendly material. Check out this news site: http://talkpathnews.aphasia.com/

Ask your SLP for some home practice- If motivation is a problem, request that your SLP give you some home practice. Your SLP will be able to provide tasks that are specific to your area(s) of need.

Though current conditions prevent us from seizing the most optimal rehabilitative opportunities, we don’t have to remain silent. Be creative and take opportunities like welcoming a new neighbor from a safe distance, ordering at the drive thru window or asking the stocker at the grocery store when they expect more toilet paper. Your recovery is not yours to face alone, but it will likely require some initiative. So try something new.

If you or your loved one doesn’t currently have a Speech Language Pathologist to work with, contact us at Vegas Voice Institute and we can guide you through the steps needed to get the support that you need to begin or resume your rehabilitation.

Vegas Voice Institute September 2023

The Cause

As we age, muscles get weak. Vocal folds are no different. The normal aging process can affect vocal folds and cause atrophy in the muscles. While this is considered normal, too much atrophy can cause problems for your voice. When the muscles weaken, the vocal folds will decrease in elasticity and develop a “bowed” look.

Symptoms

Some symptoms that may develop and cause you to need a speech pathologist are the following:

• Hoarse voice
• Coughing
• Throat clearing
• Quiet voice
• Breathy voice
• Swallowing problems (even aspiration)
• Men may notice higher pitched voice and women may develop lower pitched voice

While presbylarynx is part of the normal aging process. Presbyphonia is abnormal. Any time someone experiences poor voice quality, it is abnormal. While some weakening of the vocal cords is to be expected, too much will cause disruptions in the voice. A voice evaluation and voice therapy with a speech pathologist may be necessary if problems with the voice begin to occur.

How Presbyphonia is Diagnosed

In order to find out if you have presbyphonia or presbylarynx, you will have to be evaluated by an otolaryngologist (ENT) and/or speech pathologist. A stroboscopy and voice evaluation will need to take place to assess your vocal cords and your voice quality.

A videostroboscopy is when a camera is inserted into your mouth or nose to look at your vocal cords. It flashes a strobe light onto your vocal cords to slow down the vibration so that each vibration cycle is visible to the human eye. During a stroboscopy, the strength of the vocal cords can be assessed and presbylarynx and other voice disorders can be identified.

Next, a voice evaluation is performed to assess acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual measurements of the voice. The voice evaluation provides the speech pathologist with information about severity of the voice disorder. It is also when the speech pathologist will be able to see if the patient is stimulable for therapy.

Basically, the speech pathologist wants to make sure that the patient is a good candidate for speech therapy before having the patient start a therapy program.

How Presbyphonia is Treated

Every recommendation is based on the specific patient. Depending on different factors the patients may be recommended for different frequencies and lengths of therapy programs. The severity and longevity of the problem as well as the patient’s success and ability to perform the exercises will ultimately determine how long therapy will take.

What is Voice Therapy

Voice therapy comes in different shapes and sizes and it can look different for everyone. When working with presbyphonia, we typically address strengthening the muscles and decreasing muscle tension. A speech pathologist will curate a plan of care that addresses the specific deficits and needs of each patient.

Where Can I get Voice Therapy

It’s important to see a speech pathologist who is qualified to treat voice disorders. At Vegas Voice Institute, all of our speech pathologists are qualified to evaluate and treat voice disorders. Vegas Voice Institute is speech pathology office specialized in the treatment of voice and swallowing disorders.

Every speech therapy office is different and finding the right speech therapist to treat your voice disorder is important to the success of your therapy. You should ask the person treating you if they treat voice disorders regularly.

Finding a speech pathologist shouldn’t be difficult. Ask your doctor or google voice therapy in your area to find someone. You will have to be referred by your doctor to see a speech pathologist. Start by asking them and do your research!

Vegas Voice Institute

Vegas Voice Institute is a speech therapy clinic located in Las Vegas, Nevada. We offer voice, swallowing, and language therapy. Therapy can be provided in person at the clinic as well as virtually through telepractice, if you live far from the city. If you feel like you are having voice problems, hoarseness, or have developed a quiet voice, have your doctor refer you to Vegas Voice Institute to help you improve your communication today.