Voice Disorders

Signs and symptoms can occur in isolation or in combination. As treatment progresses, some may dissipate. Here are some of the most common symptoms patients may experience when suffering from a voice disorder: 

• Roughness  
• Breathiness  
• Strained Quality
• Strangled Quality 
• Abnormal Pitch 
• Abnormal Loudness/volume
• Abnormal Resonance 
• Aphonia (loss of voice)
• Asthenia (weak voice)
• Gurgly/wet sounding voice (especially after eating)
• Hoarse Voice  
• Pulsed Voice  
• Shrill Voice  
• Shaky Voice  

Other signs and symptoms may include one or more of the following: 

• Increased vocal effort associated with speaking  
• Running out of breath quickly 
• Variable vocal quality throughout the day or during speaking 
• Decreased vocal endurance or onset of fatigue with prolonged voice use 
• Frequent coughing or throat clearing (may worsen with increased voice use) 
• Excessive throat or laryngeal tension/pain/tenderness. 

A disturbance in one of the three subsystems of voice production or in the physiological balance among the systems, may lead to voice disturbance. Disruptions can be due to organic, functional, and/or psychogenic causes. 

Structural causes 

• Vocal fold abnormalities  
• Inflammation of the larynx  
• Trauma to the larynx from intubation, chemical exposure, or external trauma.

Neurological causes 

• Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis 
• Adductor/abductor spasmodic dysphonia 
• Parkinson’s disease 
• Motor neuron disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) 
• Multiple sclerosis 

Functional causes  

• Phono-trauma, including yelling, screaming, excessive throat-clearing 
• Muscle tension dysphonia 
• Ventricular phonation 
• Vocal fatigue  

Psychogenic causes  

• • Chronic stress disorders 
  • Anxiety or depression  
  • Depression 
  • Conversion reaction (cannot be explained by medical evaluation) 

Geared with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that allows our therapists to conduct a complete and thorough voice evaluation, Talking Brains Center has all the tools to assess, diagnose and treat your voice condition.

The evaluation takes 1 to 2 hours to complete. Depending on the results of the voice evaluation, we may recommend that you see an otolaryngologist/ENT physician for medical evaluation. Our therapists and/or the ENT may also recommend voice therapy as the next appropriate step.

The type and severity of the disorder determines the treatment selection needed by every individual. Our Lebanese speech therapists in Dubai are sensitive to cultural, linguistic, and individual variables when selecting appropriate approaches. We offer speech therapy in English, French and Arabic. 

At Talking Brains Center, we provide specialized care in voice therapy through a multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Experienced voice therapists trained in evidence-based methods like LSVT® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment)

• Comprehensive assessments using up-to-date diagnostic tools

• Collaborative care across speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, and psychotherapy for complete support

• Multilingual support, including therapy in Arabic, French, and English

Whether the issue is mild or complex, our team is here to help you regain your voice, and your confidence.