Swallowing and Voice Therapy in Missouri, Houston, TX
Speaking and swallowing issues are something most people ignore – until they become difficult. We provide expert swallowing and voice therapy at Speech & Hearing Associates in Houston area. When you struggle to swallow food, drinks, or even your own saliva, it doesn’t just affect your health – it gets in the way of your daily life. Voice changes can also make conversations stressful and tiring. From children and adults to older adults – every patient at our clinic receives a comprehensive evaluation to identify the cause of the problem. Based on the outcome of the evaluation out team develops an individualized treatment plan to improve swallowing safety, speech clarity, and overall quality.
Who Should Receive Swallowing and Voice Therapy?
You might want to consider receiving swallowing and voice therapy if you notice any of these warning signs..
- Choking, coughing or gagging when you eat or drink.
- Annoying feeling of food stuck in your throat.
- Pain whenever you try to swallow.
- Sudden weight loss just because eating has become difficult.
- A hoarse, weak, or strained voice that won't go away.
- Sudden voice changes after a recent illness or surgery.
If you are managing a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or a recent stroke – swallowing therapy can help you regain control. Also, anyone healing from head, neck, or throat surgery will benefit from voice therapy and swallowing therapy.
Understanding Swallowing Therapy
Swallowing therapy is designed to help one eat and drink safely without the fear of choking or discomfort. A comprehensive oral motor, and swallowing assessment as well as voice assessment involves examination of the muscles of face, mouth and throat involved in the process of eating and speaking and based on the outcome of the evaluation an individualized treatment plan is developed to address the issues for an individual patient.
Based on your condition, your treatment may included any or most of the following components:
Oral Motor Exercises
Strengthen the muscles of lips, cheeks, tongue, jaw, and throat used for chewing and swallowing to improve control and coordination.
Swallowing Methods
Learn simple methods, and strategies that help food and liquids move through the throat more safely without any discomfort.
Dietary Suggestions
Depending on the strength, elongation, and range of movement of muscles involved in the process of chewing and swallowing advice on most appropriate food textures and liquid consistency is recommended that is easier and safer to swallow.
Understanding Voice Therapy
If you notice Hoarseness or voice loss, weak or breathy voice, or your voice feels strained or it takes too much effort to speak – a voice examination and therapy will help. These issues normally show up after a surgery, sickness, or simply overuse of your vocal cords. At Speech & Hearing Associates, we specialize in providing individualized swallowing and voice therapy to resolve various voice-related issues.
Voice Therapy may involve various components including but not limited to the following:
Targeted Vocal Exercises
Guided exercises to get your voice back to feeling strong and clear – and regain total control over your pitch and loudness and overall quality of your voice.
Practical Voice Care
Learn healthy habits that protect your voice – including hydration, vocal rest, and reducing strain.
Better Breathing Habits
Exercises that train your lungs to support your voice help reduce throat strain and pressure.
Schedule Your Swallowing and Voice Assessment Today
If you or your loved one presents with issues with swallowing, or difficulty with speaking please call our office at 281-969-7901 and scheduled consult with Dr. Mithilesh Kumar who is a certified provider of VitalStim Therapy for dysphagia and an expert in oral motor treatment.