How is it Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of voice and speech disorders involves identifying the underlying cause,
which may be structural, neurological, or functional. The process starts with a
comprehensive history, including duration, onset, voice use habits, medical history, and
associated symptoms such as hoarseness, breathiness, or vocal fatigue.
Laryngoscopy or videostroboscopy is the gold standard to visualize the vocal cords
and assess movement, closure, and any lesions such as nodules or polyps. Acoustic
analysis may measure pitch, volume, and voice quality. For suspected neurological
causes like dysarthria or apraxia, a neurological examination and imaging (MRI or CT)
may be necessary.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conduct speech articulation assessments,
language tests, and voice evaluations to assess clarity, fluency, resonance, and
intelligibility. Aerodynamic and acoustic measurements help quantify speech disorders.
In pediatric cases, hearing tests are essential to rule out hearing loss as a contributing
factor.
Multidisciplinary collaboration between ENT specialists, neurologists, and speech
therapists is often required for a complete diagnosis