Voice Disorder: Assessment and Voice Therapy with a Speech-Language Pathologist in Quebec
Has your voice been hoarse for weeks, does it tire quickly, or does it give out by the end of the day? A voice disorder can be worked on, and the speech-language pathologist is one of the professionals who can support you.
Functional voice assessment and voice therapy, in person or through telepractice anywhere in Quebec.
What is a voice disorder?
A voice disorder, or dysphonia, is an alteration of the voice that affects its intensity, its pitch or its timbre. The voice may become hoarse, weak, cracking or lost altogether, either temporarily or persistently.
The phenomenon is far from rare: a large population survey estimated that nearly 30% of adults experience a voice disorder during their lifetime, and that 6.6% had one at the time of the study. These difficulties can interfere with daily, working and social life, especially for people who use their voice a great deal. They deserve attention rather than simply being put up with.
Signs of a voice disorder
Some signals are worth a consultation, especially when they last beyond a few weeks:
- Hoarse, husky or lost voice
- Vocal fatigue after speaking for a while
- A feeling of effort or strain to produce the voice
- Unstable volume or pitch, a voice that “gives out”
- Discomfort or irritation in the throat while speaking
A voice that stays altered is not only a matter of patience: it is a sign to have assessed.
Why you should see a physician or an ENT first
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This is a step not to be skipped. The guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology recommend an examination of the larynx when a voice disorder does not resolve within four weeks, and before starting voice therapy. This examination is carried out by a physician or an otolaryngologist (ENT), who looks at the larynx and the vocal folds.
This examination checks the integrity of the structures and establishes the medical diagnosis. The speech-language pathologist does not make that diagnosis: they work on the functional side, alongside the medical follow-up.
The speech-language pathologist and the physician do not replace each other: each one works on their own side, medical and functional.
The speech-language pathologist's role in voice therapy
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Once the medical picture is clear, the speech-language pathologist, a member of the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec (OOAQ), assesses the voice and how it works. Voice is one of their recognized areas of practice, in the same way as language, speech and swallowing.
They then build a tailored voice therapy plan: breathing and posture exercises, work on resonance and projection, voice modulation and strategies to reduce vocal strain. The goal is to regain a more comfortable and more functional voice, without any specific outcome being guaranteed in advance.
The speech-language pathologist also works on vocal hygiene day to day. You can meet our team of speech-language pathologists to learn about their training and their areas of focus.
Who are our voice services for?
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People who use their voice intensively (teachers, singers, public speakers, front-desk staff) often consult for vocal fatigue or recurring hoarseness. Support can also suit adults after medical follow-up.
Children can also have voice disorders, often linked to vocal strain. The speech-language pathologist then adapts the work to their age and their daily life.
Vocal hygiene day to day
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Taking care of your voice helps prevent relapses. A few simple habits make a difference: staying well hydrated, limiting irritants, sparing your voice and managing stress.
These habits do not replace an assessment, but they support voice therapy. Our free speech therapy resources page offers tools to use at home.
Concerned about your voice?
A free 15-minute call is enough to take stock of your situation and decide on the next step, at the clinic or through telepractice.
Types of voice disorders
Dysphonias fall into broad families, according to their origin. This distinction guides both the assessment and the voice therapy.
Functional dysphonia
It comes from misuse of the voice: vocal strain, excessive tension in the larynx, poor vocal habits. It often affects teachers, singers, public speakers and people who place heavy demands on their voice.
Organic dysphonia
It is linked to a physical abnormality of the vocal folds, such as vocal nodules, polyps or a lesion. Inflammation, laryngitis for example, may also be involved. Diagnosing these lesions belongs to the physician; speech-language pathology care, however, makes voice therapy possible.
Neurological dysphonia and other origins
Some dysphonias come from a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s disease. Others are influenced by emotional factors such as stress. For dysphonias of neurological origin, speech-language pathology care can help preserve vocal abilities for longer. In every case, the speech-language pathologist is an important ally.
In person or through telepractice
Voice therapy lends itself well to telepractice, by secure videoconference, anywhere in Quebec. You can also be seen in person.
Our speech-language pathologists welcome clients in Val-d’Or, in Mont-Laurier and in the South-West of Montreal, in French, in English or bilingually.
Frequently asked questions about voice disorders
Frequently asked questions about voice disorders
Do I need a medical referral to see a speech-language pathologist for my voice?
No referral is needed to book an appointment at a private clinic. For a persistent voice disorder, we do recommend seeing a physician or an ENT first, in order to rule out a cause that would require medical treatment.
Does the speech-language pathologist make a voice diagnosis?
The speech-language pathologist carries out a functional assessment of the voice, but the medical diagnosis, in particular the examination of the larynx and the vocal folds, belongs to the physician or the ENT. The two forms of care are complementary.
Are voice services covered by insurance?
Speech-language pathology is not covered by the RAMQ in a private clinic, but most private insurance plans reimburse part of the cost when the speech-language pathologist is a member of the OOAQ, and the service is not taxable. The details are on our speech therapy fees page.
How long does voice therapy last?
The length varies with the nature of the disorder, its origin and your goals. Gains are generally seen after 6 to 12 sessions. The speech-language pathologist adjusts the plan to your situation and discusses with you the number of sessions being considered, with no guarantee of results, as every journey is unique.