Voice therapy
Voice therapy for hoarseness and vocal strain
Voice therapy can help adults whose voice is hoarse, tired, strained or feels unreliable to speak with less effort. Your speech therapist will work with you to identify exercises and strategies that can support speech production. Depending on your concerns, we may discuss if a referral is needed to an ENT prior to starting services.
- 18 and older
- 30-minute sessions by video
- Join from home or a private room at work
- Anywhere in Texas
Good to know
The short version
- A voice change that lasts more than a few weeks should be checked by a doctor.
- Voice therapy may follow a referral or exam with an ENT.
- Sessions include practice with reading, real-life scenario prep and the conversations where your voice gives you the most trouble.
Who it helps
Is this right for me?
- Adults with a hoarse, rough or breathy voice
- People whose voice tires or gives out by the end of the day
- Teachers, coaches, clergy, sales and call center staff, and others who talk all day
- Adults referred by an ear, nose and throat doctor for voice therapy
- People who feel strain, effort or discomfort when they talk
Signs to watch for
What signs should you watch for?
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Situation: Every day
- Your voice sounds hoarse, rough, breathy or strained
- Your voice tires, cracks or gives out by the end of the day
- Talking takes effort, or your throat feels tight or sore
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Situation: See a doctor first
- Hoarseness or a voice change that lasts more than a few weeks
- Pain when talking or swallowing, coughing up blood, or a lump in the neck
- Trouble breathing
If any of this sounds familiar, an evaluation is a good place to start.
Online sessions
What therapy looks like
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What happens in a session?
Your therapist listens to your voice, as well as the concerns you have about your voice, and provides exercises and strategies for speaking with more ease. This can include breath support, starting sounds gently and your resonance. We will practice with reading, real-life scenario prep, conversations, and the situations where your voice gives you the most trouble.
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What do I do between sessions?
A few minutes of voice exercises each day, plus using your new habits at work and at home. Your therapist will also help with voice care basics, like drinking water, resting your voice and using a mic for long talks.
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How is progress tracked?
At the evaluation, we listen to your voice, ask how it affects your work and daily life, and may use short recordings and questionnaires. We repeat those over time and go over the results with you. How long it takes depends on the cause, so we won't promise a timeline.
Learn more
When should I see a doctor about my voice?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders lists signs of a voice problem, like hoarseness, a voice that tires easily, or pain when talking, and advises seeing a doctor, ideally an ear, nose and throat doctor, to find the cause (NIDCD). See a doctor right away for pain, trouble breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood, or a lump in your neck.
How do the doctor and the speech-language pathologist work together?
| Ear, nose and throat doctor | Speech-language pathologist |
|---|---|
| Looks at your vocal folds with a scope | Listens to how you use your voice day to day |
| Diagnoses the cause of the voice problem | Teaches exercises for using your voice more easily |
| Treats medical causes with medicine or surgery when needed | Helps you build habits that cut down on strain at work and home |
A lot of voice problems, like those from overuse or strain, are treated with voice therapy. Others need medical treatment first, or both. The doctor’s exam tells you which.
Pricing
Simple, clear pricing
One price list for everyone, and you pay per visit. We don't bill insurance, but we can provide you with a superbill for you to send to your insurance company for out-of-network coverage. We do accept HSA and FSA cards.
See pricing-
Evaluation
$175
60 minutes
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Therapy session
$75
30 minutes
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Consultation call
Free
15 minutes
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? A free 15-minute call is a good place to ask.
Do I need to see a doctor before voice therapy?
It depends on your concerns. An ear, nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) can look at your vocal folds and rule out problems that need medical treatment. Depending on your concerns, we may discuss if a referral is needed to an ENT prior to starting services.
Can voice therapy be done online?
A lot of it works well by video, especially with good audio. Some measurements need clinic equipment, which is one reason the doctor's exam matters.
I'm a teacher and lose my voice every week. Can you help?
Teachers talk for long stretches, often over noise, so voice strain is common. After a doctor's exam, therapy can help you use your voice more easily and build habits that cut down on strain during the school day.
How long does voice therapy take?
It depends on the cause and your goals. We'll recommend a schedule after the evaluation, and you book sessions one at a time.
Ready when you are
Most families start with a 60-minute evaluation. If you'd rather talk first, book a free 15-minute call and ask us anything.
Reviewed by Whitney Silverthorn, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist at Talking Jay.
Sources: Voice Disorders (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Taking Care of Your Voice, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Telepractice (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association