Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

64 The Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat
Singing and extended talking can greatly strain
the vocal cords, resulting in inflammation (LARYN-
GITIS) that causes the voice to sound scratchy or
hoarse. Environmental irritants such as pollen or
smoke can also cause laryngitis. Cigarette smoking
is particularly stressful for the vocal cords, causing
extended irritation that may result in chronic
hoarseness and growths such as a VOCAL CORD CYST
or VOCAL CORD POLYP. Cancerous tumors related to
smoking can develop on the vocal cords. Loss of
the vocal cords, such as due to LARYNGECTOMY (surgical
removal of the larynx) for laryngeal CANCER,
results in loss of the voice.
For further discussion of the vocal cords within
the context of otolaryngologic structure and function
please see the overview section “The Ear,
Nose, Mouth, and Throat.”
See also CONDITIONING; ESOPHAGEAL SPEECH; SMOK-
ING AND HEALTH; VOICE THERAPY.
voice therapy Methods and techniques for
improving the ability of the larynx (voice box) to
produce speech. Voice therapy focuses on the
mechanical aspects of vocal cord function, MUSCLE
control and coordination, and breath control. Voice
therapy typically follows operations on the VOCAL
CORDS and larynx to restore voice volume and quality.
Professionals who use their voices, such as
singers and lecturers, may find voice therapy beneficial
in overcoming the deleterious effects of overusing
the voice. A voice therapist also may work
with a person who has had a LARYNGECTOMY (surgical
removal of the larynx) to improve the quality of
alternate articulation methods such as ESOPHAGEAL
SPEECH or ELECTROLARYNX speech.
The techniques of voice therapy vary according
to the diagnosed speech disorder or clinical situation,
the person’s speaking needs, and the desired
outcome. Voice therapy may incorporate resting
the voice completely, which allows only 15 minutes
of total voice use in a 24-hour period of time.
Other techniques focus on using the breath to
generate voice volume and quality, and learning
to adjust the pitch of the voice rather than only
volume to add emphasis to speech.
See also OPERATION; VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS.