Voice

What is voice?

Voice is the sound produced in the larynx by the vocal folds, laryngeal muscles and lungs working together. Voice is created by the airflow from the lungs flowing through the vocal folds with sufficient force to cause them to vibrate. It can be produced with different sound qualities, volume and pitch ¹⁵.

Voice makes audible speech possible and conveys to listeners how a speaker is feeling.

What is a voice disorder and who is affected by it?

A voice disorder refers to an individual's difficulty or inability to use their voice. This can be during singing, speaking in an everyday situation or giving a speech depending on the individual's requirements¹⁵. Anyone, irrespective of age or gender can be affected by a voice disorder, however people who are required to use their voice as one of the main components of their profession are more susceptible, particularly if care is not taken. Examples of these professions include singers, performers, auctioneers, actors and teachers. For further information about professional voice users see: Groups that Commonly Require Our Services.

What causes voice disorders?

Voice disorders have multiple causes and are commonly categorised into organic, functional, neurogenic or psychogenic.

Organic voice disorders are those caused by structural abnormalities to the anatomy required for voice production.¹⁵

Neurogenic voice disorders are those which occur as a result of damage to the brain or nerves which innervate the anatomical structures required for voice production. ¹⁵

Functional voice disorders occur as the result of a disturbed vocal mechanism and often have a psychological component. The disturbed vocal mechanism results from misuse or inefficient use of the voice.

Psychogenic voice disorders have a psychological implication. They are characterised by the presence of dysphonia or aphonia with a lack of any vocal pathology or physical cause¹³.

Can a voice disorder be treated, and how?

The La Trobe Communication Clinic provides both preventative and rehabilitative services for voice users. The origin of the voice disorder will determine whether the treatment will require voice therapy with a speech pathologist, a psychologist or psychiatrist and an ENT specialist (Ears, Nose and Throat) or a combination¹⁵. Sometimes there will be no 'cure' for a voice disorder, In this case symptoms may be managed using medication prescribed by a medical practitioner and compensatory strategies introduced to increase communication effectiveness.

Services Provided by the Voice Clinic

The LCC incorporates a specialised Voice Clinic which provides the following services:

Voice Care and Evaluation Service provides voice care presentations, screenings and a diagnostic service for professional voice users.

• Voice Care and Evaluation Services.pdf (PDF 155KB
• Voice Care and Evaluation Services.doc (DOC 305KB)
• Voice assessment using specialised computer software for people who are concerned about their voice
• Voice therapy for the treatment of voice disorders and post surgical voice rehabilitation
• Voice modification for individuals diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder- Transsexualism (GID-T) (See Groups that Commonly Require Our Services)

Most voice therapy sessions are scheduled weekly although this can vary according to individual needs. Voice rehabilitation is achieved through a combination of voice education and exercises. 

La Trobe Communication Clinic offers voice treatment for all ages:

• Young school-aged children
• Adolescents
• Adults

Research Opportunities

There is ongoing research at the La Trobe Voice Clinic. If you would like to be considered as a participant in future research projects, please fill in and submit a form of Registration of Interest available from our research page.

For information about research conducted at La Trobe Communication Clinic visit the Voice 'Research into Voice Problems at the La Trobe Communication Clinic' page.

Request for Service

The Voice Clinic Operates on Tuesdays at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and Thursdays from 9:00am – 5:00pm at the La Trobe Communication Clinic.

Assessments and treatments are available by appointment only. Please refer to the main La Trobe Communication Clinic Services and Contact links for more information and forms.