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Voice
Each of us has a unique voice. We use it to communicate information, but also to convey emotion and connect with people. Singers, teachers, actors, lawyers and politicians make great demands on their voices and are prone to developing voice disorders. The voice problems can be obvious or barely perceptible but, depending on the individual's occupation, can be career threatening. Abnormal changes to the voice quality are called dysphonias.
Many people consider the larynx (voice box) as being entirely responsible for voice. However, your voice is the result of complex interactions involving the lungs, larynx, mouth, throat and nose. The human larynx possesses some of the fastest muscles in the body and one of the richest supplies of nerves of any organ. It dictates the pitch of the sound, which it can change and interrupt rapidly, but it also helps adjust the intensity of the sound produced. The lungs provide the source of air that drives the vibration in the vocal cords as they come together. Resonance is added to the sound by the cavities that are the throat, nose and sinuses. We have all noticed the change in our voice when we have a cold. The tongue, lips and teeth help articulate the sound.
We are all subjected to changes due to the aging process. The larynx is not immune to these changes. Women will usually notice a lowering of the pitch of their voice after the age of 60 years and men will notice a gradual elevation of vocal pitch. Recent developments have lead to techniques, known as 'voice lift' surgery that can help correct these changes.
Computerised Voice Analysis
This test is used to measure your voice quality. It is completely painless and involves recording your voice through a microphone whilst you read a specific passage. You will be taken to a soundproof room to improve the accuracy of the recordings and a soft collar will be placed around your throat. We realise the importance of audit and research and this recording will show us any improvement or change in your voice with treatment.
Laryngeal EMG
This test is useful in assessing patients with vocal cord paralysis and other vocal cord disorders. The electrical activity generated by the muscles that move your vocal cords is measured to see if they are functioning normally. Small electrodes are placed in your muscles and electrical responses are recorded as you respond to a series of voice tests. It should take about 30 minutes.
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