Archives

Presbyphonia: The Aging Voice

January 4, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This handout explains presbyphonia, or “the aging voice,” what specific structures of the body change, and how to seek medical treatment if the person’s quality of life is being affected by these vocal changes.
This content is only available to members.

Parkinson’s Disease and Voice Therapy Exercises

January 2, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Lower dopamine levels cause automatic movements —speech, voice, swallowing, walking —to become difficult. This handout focuses on voice exercises with intentional body actions and uses a decibel meter device/application to measure progress.
This content is only available to members.

Oral Mech Exam Visual Cards

January 1, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Completing an oral mech exam with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or while wearing a mask or other PPE can be a challenge. These 3×5 inch cards can be cut, laminated, and used to guide the patient through the steps of the oral mech exam. Clean thoroughly between use, or print a fresh copy for each test.
This content is only available to members.

Oral Mech Exam

January 1, 2022 by Megan Berg.
A quick reference guide for SLPs conducting oral mech exams, including cues for the physical exam, voice observation, articulation, and nasality. Includes specifics on how to assess both sensory and motor functions of the cranial nerves.
This content is only available to members.

Phonotrauma and Vocal Hygiene

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
This handout is for people experiencing phonotrauma and seeking functional strategies to manage symptoms. The handout includes causes and complications of phonotrauma as well as 6 strategies to improve vocal hygiene.
This content is only available to members.

Parkinson’s, the Brain, and Your Voice

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
Handout defining how changes in the brain related to Parkinson’s affect speech and how speech-language pathologists can help improve communication.
This content is only available to members.

How We Create Voice and Speech

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
This handout provides visual anatomy of vocal function as well as a written description of how voice and speech are created. Includes a partial list of diagnoses that affect voice.
This content is only available to members.

How Speaking Valves Work

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
This handout is designed for speech-language pathologists working with patients and families with tracheostomies who want to understand how speaking valves work. The handout features basic anatomy of voice, as well as basic eligibility requirements and safety precautions.
This content is only available to members.

How Damage to the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerves Affects Swallowing and Voice

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
This handout provides a visual depicting the unique pathway of the recurrent laryngeal nerves from the brainstem, around the heart, and up to the larynx. The handout describes the purpose of cranial nerves as well as the specific functions of the vagus nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerves. The handout features a list of symptoms that patients may experience with damage to these nerves.
This content is only available to members.

GRBAS Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice

December 25, 2021 by Megan Berg.
The GRBAS is a non-standardized, commonly used auditory perceptual scale used by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to evaluate the healthiness of a person’s voice. This resource provides information on the five characteristics and ratings for consistent communication and understanding between SLPs.
This content is only available to members.