Voice Care WA

SPEECH PATHOLOGY CLINIC

Thea Peterson

14 Mann St
Cottesloe WA 6011
Phone 08 9383 1119
0413 048 118
Email theap@iinet.net.au

Member Speech Pathology Australia
Member Private Speech Pathologists Association
Member Australian Voice Association

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS TO CHECK HOW VOICE THERAPY MAY HELP YOU:

Do you lose your voice?
Has your voice got weaker?
Is your voice rough, hoarse or gravelly?
Has your voice changed pitch or has it always been too high or too low?
Is projecting your voice a problem?
Do you constantly throat clear of cough?
Has your singing voice deteriorated?
Does your voice tire after prolonged talking?
Is your voice strained after talking or singing?
Is it an effort to talk?

Do you experience:

A feeling of tightness or constriction in your throat?
Muscle tension or strain in your neck, jaw or throat?
Dryness in your throat?
Excessive mucous?
A feeling of a lump or pain in your throat?

If you answered yes to any of these questions please phone to discuss your problem.

Thea Peterson
(Principal) B.Sp Thy

Thea has more than 25 years experience as a speech pathologist and has specialised in the treatment of adults with voice problems since 1981. Her patients include leading TV and radio personalities, teachers, lawyers, doctors, business people, singers, fitness instructors, clergy and parents.

HEALTH FUND REBATES.

Ancillary tables of Private Health Funds offer substantial rebates on private speech pathology fees.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT?

We will discuss with you the history of your voice problem, how it fluctuates and what factors affect it.

We will give you advice on how you can begin to control your symptoms.

We will explain normal voice production, voice care and how voice problems develop.

Together we will establish your treatment goals and design a therapy programme to suit you.

This initial, in depth assessment takes approximately 90 minutes.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THERAPY?

Therapy may involve:

Discussion of relevant occupational, social, emotional and medical factors contributing to your voice difficulty.
Counselling regarding vocal misuse and the importance of caring for your voice.
Direct work on your voice through vocal exercises.
Discussion regarding stress management, relaxation skills and/or relevant emotional issues.

We will aim to increase your awareness of how you can make changes to your voice and lifestyle so that your voice can be more efficient, effective and functional.

Your therapy programme will aim to eliminate or at least minimize your voice symptoms, improve the function of your larynx and improve the physical condition of your larynx if it has been damaged or strained.

It may be recommended that you consult an Ear Nose and Throat specialist to ensure that you do not have any serious medical conditions that may be affecting your larynx and voice.

Most subsequent sessions are weekly and last approximately 60 minutes.

HOW LONG WILL TREATMENT TAKE?

Whilst most patients attend an average of eight sessions during a three month period, this varies depending on the severity of the problem and the condition of the larynx.