ADULT SPEECH DISORDERS IN PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS

Only in the past few years have specialists (ENT physicians, speech pathologists, singing teachers, voice coaches, etc.) recognized that the term “professional” voice user or speaker should be extended to include teachers, ministers, sales personnel, coaches, or anyone who must use voice continuously or rigorously for occupational employment. When taken in this context, the problems that many adults begin experiencing with their voice and speech, without trauma or neurological problems, can be more readily understood.

As a consequence of frequent and/or rigorous voice use, a wide range of voice disorders may emerge. These include the familiar vocal fold nodules, vocal fold polyps, contact ulcers, and muscle tension dysphonias. These are all conditions that can resolve favorably with use of appropriate voice behaviors, improved breathing for speaking, and improved or strengthened vocal fold functioning.

Other speech problems may emerge with these speaking professionals. Speaking involves the synchronization of more than 60 muscles at the same time to effect the flow of breath for voice production and modulation of the voice sound into intelligible and pleasing speech. Problems can emerge in the smooth articulation movements of the tongue, lips and mandible. There can be an array of causations: Neurological dysfunction, muscle tension disorders, and oral myofunctional disorders that affect speech production.

While the causation of many of these problems is unclear, the outcomes are still that the speaking professional can be placed in a precarious situation by the failure of the speech or voice mechanism in the smooth, easy, efficient production of normal communication. In most cases a trial period of voice or speech therapy is warranted to see if the problem shows potential of resolving. A four to five week period of time of weekly therapy visits will usually indicate whether there can be a positive outcome with therapy. In some cases the success or failure in the therapy context can suggest other assessment or evaluation that would be helpful.

Robert B. Grider, M. S./C. C. C.

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