Question
I am a voice teacher with an interest in voice disorders. Is there a specific protocol used by speech language pathologists in treating laryngeal hyperfunction in singers? If so, what it is?
Answer
Laryngeal hyperfunction can be a debilitating problem for both the speaking and singing voice. The first priority would be to identify the cause of the hyperfunction. Is it a learned behavior that is primary in nature? Or, is the hyperfunction a secondary, maladaptive response to an underlying medical etiology. An endoscopic examination by an otolaryngologist and speech-language pathologist would be the first step. Most often, voice and singing therapy is part of the treatment plan for either diagnosis. Although there is no specific treatment protocol used by speech pathologists, there are several treatment approaches that may be beneficial in treating laryngeal hyperfunction in singers.
Therapy techniques for hyperfunction address coordination of the larynx with breath support and musculature of the vocal tract. The most efficacious and widely accepted methods are Vocal Function Exercises (Stemple, Lee, D'Amico, 1994; Sabol, Lee, Stemple, 1995) and Resonant Voice Therapy (Verdolini-Marston, Burke, Lessac, Glaze & Caldwell, 1995). Actually, a review of many of the voice therapy approaches and their applications is available free online from the National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS) in a booklet called The Guide to Vocology: www.ncvs.org/ncvs/library/pubs/index.html.
My personal preference for the best treatment approach for laryngeal hyperfunction in singers is found in the Estill Voice Training System (EVTS). The EVTS is a comprehensive program for teaching singing that has a strong foundation in the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism. There is abundant research to support the techniques and the compulsory figures created for voice control are well designed for rehabilitating the injured singer. You can find more information about EVTS at: www.trainmyvoice.com.
Lori Lombard, PhD is an associate professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania specializing in voice and laryngectomy rehabilitation. She has over ten years experience in the evaluation and treatment of voice disorders from the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center.