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

• Do you lose your voice?
• Is your voice rough, hoarse or gravely?
• 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 us to discuss your problem.

Thea Peterson
(Principal) B.Sp Thy CPSP

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.

Ingrid Thorniley
(Associate) B.App Sc (Sp&H) CPSP

Ingrid has more than 10 years experience as a speech pathologist. Whilst working at a major teaching hospital, Ingrid specialised in the treatment of adults and children with voice problems and chronic cough. She too has treated a wide range of professional and nonprofessional voice users.

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.

Your voice will be assessed using computer analysis and we will design a treatment plan 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.
• Counseling 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.

Your therapy program will aim to eliminate, or at least minimise, your voice symptoms and improve the physical condition of your larynx if it has been damaged or stressed.

Most subsequent sessions are weekly and last approximately 60 minutes.

HOW LONG WILL TREATMENT TAKE?

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

HEALTH FUND REBATES.

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