Resonance speech therapy entails increasing vocal resonance to make speaking easier and more pleasant, alleviating symptoms associated with hypernasality such as weak consonant sounds and short utterance lengths. This therapy can also reduce symptoms associated with hypernasality such as weak consonant sounds.
Resonant speech therapy enables individuals to build stronger skills by using adaptive strategies like breath control and vocal warm-ups, among others. Below you can read about some of its goals.
Breath Control
Resonance refers to the balance of sound vibrations occurring within the pharynx (throat), oral cavity and nasal cavity during speech, producing a full and rich voice. Individuals suffering from resonance disorders may produce overly nasalized sounds which reduce clarity and intelligibility in their voice; often due to structural issues like cleft palate or neurological conditions like enlarged adenoids. Speech therapy may help alleviate such issues.
Resonant voice therapy techniques usually include exercises designed to promote efficient breathing, vocal warm-ups and resonance shaping. Resonance therapy also serves to increase self-awareness and build stronger vocal skills – this could include lip trills, tongue trills or simple vocalizations such as humming. Speech language pathologists (SLPs) may use gentle onset techniques which encourage smooth phonation start times in order to reduce strain on vocal cords.
Resonance disorders vary based on their type and severity, with different forms affecting voice quality and intelligibility: hypernasality – where air resonates more in the nose rather than mouth during speech; hyponasality – when not enough sound resonates through nasal and pharyngeal passages during speech; cul-de-sac resonance – when sound becomes trapped within nasal and oral cavities – being among them; mixed resonance is another possibility that could impact voice quality and intelligibility – or all four at once if present – to name but some of these conditions present simultaneously.
Velopharyngeal dysfunction or VPD is the leading cause of resonance disorders, in which the valve which controls openings between throat and nasal cavities does not operate normally due to neurologic problems, structural defects such as a cleft palate or mislearning (improper speech production).
Speech-language pathologists who specialize in resonance disorders can assess an individual’s specific challenges and create an individualized treatment plan. Working closely with each client, these professionals address specific needs in a private one-on-one setting for maximum effectiveness in improving vocal quality and communication abilities. Set up your free introductory call now to see how speech therapy for improved resonance could benefit yourself or a loved one!
Relaxation
Normal speech requires the optimal distribution of sound energy throughout your mouth and nasal cavities to achieve resonance, otherwise known as Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD). Speech therapy or surgery are two effective therapies for VPD; CHOP offers specialized speech therapy services for this condition.
Vocal Warm-Ups
Resonant voice therapy (RVT) is an evidence-based approach used to improve vocal quality, reduce strain, and enhance overall vocal health. The goal is to produce a powerful yet effortless voice by emphasizing forward resonance; with thorough assessments and goals being used to craft customized therapy plans tailored specifically for each client.
Techniques such as humming, chanting, lip trills and the yawn sign are employed to establish forward resonance in patients suffering from hypernasality. Performing such exercises helps improve clarity while decreasing vocal strain.
Education can also play a part in helping clients understand why their voice sounds different than others, for instance by asking them to look into a mirror while speaking and observe when their uvula moves upward and downward as they say nasal and non-nasal sounds. It’s crucial that clients recognize they must move their uvula to produce natural sounding voices.
Palatal prostheses are one of the most effective ways to enhance voice function. These appliances help clients maintain their natural resonant voice while providing extra support when necessary. Made of flexible material that easily inserts through the palate of their mouths, palatal prostheses are available both for children and adults.
Another approach is vocal warm-ups, which can help establish forward resonance and enhance voice clarity. One such warm-up technique is the Yawn Sign technique; this helps lower the back of the tongue while raising the Velum, the soft part at the back of the roof of your mouth. Other techniques include humming which encourages Velum vibrate more freely for greater clarity.
If you or a loved one is experiencing issues with their voice, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance from a speech-language pathologist (SLP). They are specially trained professionals that can assist in creating a healthy, clear and effortless tone using their knowledge of vocal disorders as well as effective treatments methods. Contact an SLP today for a complimentary introductory call and discover just how an SLP can assist.
Vocal Exercises
Voice is made up of vibrations in the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities; its balance determines both quality of sound production and intelligibility of speech. Resonance disorders like hypernasality or cleft palate may alter how much oral or nasal sound energy is created; therapy for resonance issues focuses on optimizing this balance to produce better speech intelligibility.
Vocal exercises designed to develop resonance can help train vocal cords to produce an open and relaxed sound without strain. Furthermore, this training also educates singers to become aware of where their sound comes from (chest throat head etc). This awareness prevents unnecessary tension or strain on their vocal cords.
There are various kinds of vocal exercises. Of the most significant is deep diaphragmatic breathing, which promotes vocal resonance and allows an individual to keep healthy vocal folds. Chanting, lip trills and humming are also excellent techniques that encourage individuals to explore “mask resonance”, including vibrations in facial bones and sinuses as well as back of throat vibrations (glottal vibrations).
Gentle Onset (or soft start) is another effective vocal exercise technique, emphasizing gradual phonation to avoid excess pressure on vocal folds and reduce vibration impacts on pharynx and nasal cavity. SLPs may assist individuals in using semi-occluded vocal tract configurations for balanced resonant qualities; for example, straw phonation techniques encourage users to speak through straws placed in cups of water for enhanced natural resonant properties of voice.
As part of a vocal training routine, regular monitoring and adjustments should be made to enhance the effectiveness of vocal muscles. This may involve reviewing progress towards specific resonant speech therapy goals like improving vocal clarity or decreasing voice fatigue frequency; thorough assessments help SLPs create personalized treatment plans.
