Uvula Manipulation and Resonance (UMAR) Treatment for Puberphonia

Abstract

Otolaryngologists and speech therapist can be experts in managing specific puberphonia lesions to improve voice. However, not all voice problems have lesions amenable to surgical or medical therapies. Many are associated with maladaptive speech behaviors. We may employ a variety of techniques to improve vocal quality and function in patients with and without structural or neurologic laryngeal pathology. There is an alarming increase in cases of puberphonia and it’s after effects. Otolaryngologists can partner to manage a constellation of puberphonia voice problems with directed voice evaluation and therapy. We, in a small Otorhinolarygolist center in a small city, Chennai has registered and treated 600 cases of puberphonia. We are able to register the devastating problems of puberphonia. Regarding the treatment of puberphonia, in which laryngeal massage, outside the neck, is consistently highlighted as being an effective therapy technique for treating it. In addition, there have been several individual studies conducted to examine the effectiveness of laryngo pharyngeal manipulation inside the vocal tract, which also yielded positive results. A basic review of UMAR techniques and this partnership with yoga breathing trainers is presented which give almost immediate low pitch speech and give a good follow up.