Timing to complete voice therapy - Judgment by otolaryngologist and speech-language-hearing therapists in our department

Abstract

We have provided voice therapy at our clinic since 1999. We currently perform treatment once a week with a medical doctor and three speech-language-hearing therapists (ST). Diagnosis, treatment, and timing of completion are all decided through mutual consultation by the doctor and STs. At the initial visit, the patient's vocal cords and state of voice production are precisely assessed in the presence of the ST, after which phonation, Voice Handicap Index, etc. are investigated. The medical doctor and ST assess the patient's state, complaint, and wishes, and discuss the most appropriate treatment option through mutual consultation. Here we report disorders and therapeutic indications; how we decide the timing to complete the voice therapy; and discuss why the therapy was not prolonged. Finally, we discuss the roles of the medical doctor and ST in completing voice therapy.