Voice Disorders
Voice problems • Diagnosis • Treatments
Advanced diagnostic tools and leading edge treatments.
Dr. DePasquale at St. Augustine Ear, Nose & Throat has the expertise to diagnose and treat even the most difficult voice problems. Dr. DePasquale is the only ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor in St. Augustine, Florida who performs video stroboscopy during your visit to examine the vocal cords. This state of the art technology allows for a prompt proper diagnosis. Dr. DePasquale’s treatment options for voice problems include voice therapy and voice behavioral techniques. The more serious voice conditions may require medication or surgery.
Voice problems: Warning signs & causes
A sudden or gradual change in your vocal quality may be related to a wide variety of underlying issues. If you are suffering from a voice problem, don’t assume it will just go away or that it’s nothing to worry about. Your symptoms could be the result of an underlying and potentially serious health problem.
Some warning signs of a voice disorder include:
- Losing your voice often
- Having trouble projecting your voice
- Hoarse, raspy or breathy voice for more than 3 weeks
- Feeling as though your voice is “tired” or “strained” after prolonged talking
Some of the more common causes of voice problems include:
- Vocal cord damage from uncontrolled acid reflux
- Heavy use (or misuse) of the voice
- Infection
- Disease
- Age
- Trauma
- Chemical exposure
- Neurological pathology
- Abnormalities of the muscles that move the vocal cords
- Certain benign or cancerous growths on the vocal cords
Problems with the vocal cords may result in:
- Changes in pitch
- Loss of voice
- Reduction in vocal endurance
- Sometimes a sharp or dull pain while speaking
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Diagnosis
A proper diagnosis of the cause of your voice disorder is critical to identifying and initiating the effective treatment options. Even if your voice problem is not the result of a life threatening cause, chronic voice problems can lead to job interference, loss of income and reduction in your quality of life. Fortunately, many voice problems can be resolved or greatly improved with proper treatment. The key to proper treatment is a thorough examination of the vocal mechanism and specific diagnosis and description of the cause. This requires sophisticated visualization technology along with a skilled and experienced professional eye. Dr. DePasquale is the only ENT in St. Augustine, Florida who can perform video stroboscopy during your visit to examine the vocal cords. This state of the art technology allows for proper diagnosis of the most difficult voice problems.
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Treatment
Dr. DePasquale’s treatment options for voice disorders include onsite voice therapy with a skilled Speech Therapist. The more serious conditions may require medication and/or surgery. Dr. DePasquale is aware of the delicate nature of the vocal cords and the irreversible damage vocal cord surgery can create if the surgeon is not practiced and proficient in the technique. As a professional voice user and singer herself, Dr. DePasquale is sensitive to the impact voice problems can have on quality of life. Therefore, she is proud to offer her patients extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosis and management of voice disorders with state of the art equipment, on site voice therapy and advanced surgical skill.
If you are concerned about a voice problem, schedule your personal appointment at St. Augustine Ear, Nose & Throat in Florida today. Call (904) 461-6060.
Go Back to top>>
Voice Disorders
Voice problems • Diagnosis • Treatments
Advanced diagnostic tools and leading edge treatments.
Dr. DePasquale at St. Augustine Ear, Nose & Throat has the expertise to diagnose and treat even the most difficult voice problems. Dr. DePasquale is the only ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor in St. Augustine, Florida who performs video stroboscopy during your visit to examine the vocal cords. This state of the art technology allows for a prompt proper diagnosis. Dr. DePasquale’s treatment options for voice problems include voice therapy and voice behavioral techniques. The more serious voice conditions may require medication or surgery.
Voice problems: Warning signs & causes
A sudden or gradual change in your vocal quality may be related to a wide variety of underlying issues. If you are suffering from a voice problem, don’t assume it will just go away or that it’s nothing to worry about. Your symptoms could be the result of an underlying and potentially serious health problem.
Some warning signs of a voice disorder include:
- Losing your voice often
- Having trouble projecting your voice
- Hoarse, raspy or breathy voice for more than 3 weeks
- Feeling as though your voice is “tired” or “strained” after prolonged talking
Some of the more common causes of voice problems include:
- Vocal cord damage from uncontrolled acid reflux
- Heavy use (or misuse) of the voice
- Infection
- Disease
- Age
- Trauma
- Chemical exposure
- Neurological pathology
- Abnormalities of the muscles that move the vocal cords
- Certain benign or cancerous growths on the vocal cords
Problems with the vocal cords may result in:
- Changes in pitch
- Loss of voice
- Reduction in vocal endurance
- Sometimes a sharp or dull pain while speaking
Go Back to top>>
Diagnosis
A proper diagnosis of the cause of your voice disorder is critical to identifying and initiating the effective treatment options. Even if your voice problem is not the result of a life threatening cause, chronic voice problems can lead to job interference, loss of income and reduction in your quality of life. Fortunately, many voice problems can be resolved or greatly improved with proper treatment. The key to proper treatment is a thorough examination of the vocal mechanism and specific diagnosis and description of the cause. This requires sophisticated visualization technology along with a skilled and experienced professional eye. Dr. DePasquale is the only ENT in St. Augustine, Florida who can perform video stroboscopy during your visit to examine the vocal cords. This state of the art technology allows for proper diagnosis of the most difficult voice problems.
Go Back to top>>
Treatment
Dr. DePasquale’s treatment options for voice disorders include onsite voice therapy with a skilled Speech Therapist. The more serious conditions may require medication and/or surgery. Dr. DePasquale is aware of the delicate nature of the vocal cords and the irreversible damage vocal cord surgery can create if the surgeon is not practiced and proficient in the technique. As a professional voice user and singer herself, Dr. DePasquale is sensitive to the impact voice problems can have on quality of life. Therefore, she is proud to offer her patients extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosis and management of voice disorders with state of the art equipment, on site voice therapy and advanced surgical skill.
If you are concerned about a voice problem, schedule your personal appointment at St. Augustine Ear, Nose & Throat in Florida today. Call (904) 461-6060.
Go Back to top>>