Speech and Voice Therapy
Our speech/language pathologists specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating people with communication problems that result from disability, surgery, or developmental disorders. They are also instrumental in preventing disorders related to speech, language, cognitive communication, voice, and fluency. This includes both receptive (understanding speech) and expressive (speaking) communication problems. They also evaluate and treat people with swallowing disorders due to stroke, brain injury, or other nervous system impairments.
This program is designed to evaluate and treat voice disorders in all ages, from children to seniors.
The most commonly seen disorders are:
- Neurological disorders (i.e., Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.)
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Hoarseness
- Laryngiti
- Psychogenic voice disorders
- Vocal cord growths (nodules, polyps, cysts)
- Resonance disorders (i.e., cleft palate, dysarthria)
- Tracheostomies
- Head and neck cancer
- Reflux disorders
Indications for referral to our program:
- Recurrent or persistent hoarseness
- Vocal strain
- Pain/discomfort in neck and/or throat areas
- Pitch changes
- Decreased volume
- Vocal strain and/or fatigue
Services provided:
- Voice evaluation and treatment
- Voice recording and analysis
- Vocal performance assessment
- Tracheotomy decannulation evaluation/speaking valve trials
- Evaluation of the aging voice
- Prosthetic management with voice restoration for laryngectomies
Equipment:
- Flexible endoscopy for structural analysis and biofeedback
- Computer software for acoustic analysis and biofeedback
- Educational materials and treatment handouts
- Piano keyboard for pitch matching
Speech therapy is offered at three locations throughout Berrien County. For more information, contact:
Lakeland Rehabilitation Services, Health Park, St. Joseph
(269) 428-2799
Lakeland Rehabilitation Services, Niles
(269) 683-6800
Lakeland Rehabilitation Services, Coloma
(269) 468-4318