What are Voice Disorders?
Smart Start
What Are Voice Disorders?
Voice disorders encapsulate a wide variety of conditions, including but not limited to issues with tone, pitch and flexibility of a child’s voice.
They can be caused by a number of different factors, like vocal nodules (benign growths on the vocal chords), polyps (larger, fluid-filled lesions) or vocal chord paralysis, which may be congenital or the result of nerve damage.
A licensed speech therapist is able to evaluate children for signs of a voice disorder and build a tailored care plan designed to strengthen their voice and build their confidence in communicating.
Signs & Symptoms of a Voice Disorder
Voice disorders can present themselves in a variety of ways. Some of the following symptoms may indicate the need for an evaluation.
Vocal Quality Changes
- Hoarseness (rough, raspy, or harsh voice)
- Breathy voice (air escaping during speech)
- Strained or effortful voice
- Voice that sounds “nasal” (too much or too little nasal resonance)
- Quivering or shaky voice
Pitch Issues
- Voice that is too high or too low for age and gender
- Sudden changes in pitch during speech
- Monotone voice (lack of pitch variation)
Loudness Problems
- Speaking too loudly or too softly
- Inconsistent volume
- Loss of voice or reduced volume after short periods of talking
Physical Signs & Complaints
- Frequent throat clearing
- Chronic coughing not due to illness
- Sensation of a lump or tightness in the throat
- Neck tension when speaking
- Vocal fatigue (tired or sore throat after speaking)
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.