Voice TherapyInformation for patients,carers and relatives

Better healthcare together

CSH Surrey, providing NHS community nursingand therapy services in the homes, schools, clinicsand hospitals in the heart of Surrey since 2006.

Service contact detailsVoice therapy is located within the Speechand Language Therapy Department in Block J,Therapies Department:

Epsom General HospitalBlock J, Therapies DepartmentDorking RoadEpsomKT18 7EG

T: 01372 735 202

Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.00pm

CSH/AD 022-11/16

Need to contact the service?Please see the Contact details section of this leafl et.

Your experiencesCSH Surrey is committed to putting people fi rst and continually improving services through listening andresponding to feedback. To share your experiences, please:

Call: 01306 646 223Email: CSH.Feedback@nhs.netOr write to the Governance Offi ce address below.

Large print, audio format or another languageCall 01306 646 223or email CSH.Communications@nhs.netto receive this information in large print, audio formator another language.

General enquiriesVisit www.cshsurrey.co.uk for information andcontact details for all other CSH Surrey services.

Quality and Governance Offi ce,CSH Surrey, Leatherhead Hospital, Poplar Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8SD

Company registered number 5700920

A heart in the communityCSH Surrey, proud to be part of the CSH Group.As a social enterprise, CSH makes profi t tobenefi t local communities and to enhance itshealth and care services.

PO42367-CSH-6pp Voice Therapy Leaflet.indd 1 21/11/2016 11:33

What is a voice disorder?A voice disorder is a problem with:

• Voice quality, such as a hoarse or husky voice

• Pitch

• Volume

• Flexibility of the voice.

It can also include:

• A sore, dry or uncomfortable throat

• A feeling of a lump in the throat

• Loss of voice.

What causes voice disorders?A problem might develop:

• From lifestyle factors such as environmental or emotional changes and stresses

• Following surgery to the larynx (voice box)

• From over-use or misuse of the voice, suchas shouting

• As a result of illness.

Who do we treat?We treat adults and children with voice or ear, nose and throat problems.

• Make time to relax – have a quiet time for yourself every day

• Develop alternatives to shouting, such as going into the same room as the person you want to speak to

• Encourage a quiet environment where no one needs to shout.

What to avoid• Clearing your throat constantly or with force.

Instead, sip water

• Shouting and screaming

• Smoking. Cut down and seriously consider givingit up

• Caffeine. This dries the throat

• Drinking alcohol. Try alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Speaking a lot in dry, dusty or smoky atmospheres

• Speaking over background noise. Turn down the volume of the TV/radio/music

• Eating lots of milky foods such as chocolate. These thicken mucus in your nose and throat and can make your problem worse.

How do you get referred to our service?Usually you are referred after an appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist which your GP will have arranged for you. You can contact the service directly, but we will always refer you to an ENT specialist before we arrange to see you. Contact details are on the back of this leafl et.

What do we do?You will be seen by a Speech and Language Therapist who will:

• Assess your voice problem

• Discuss with you the causes and the diagnosis of your problem

• Offer advice and support on how to take care ofyour voice

• Offer therapy if appropriate.

What can you do to help?• Drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least two litres

of water a day and have water constantly at hand

• Inhale steam through your mouth for fi ve to ten minutes a day

• Humidify your environment by putting bowls of water near heat sources

“Thank you for your help. The vocal work has worked wonders.”

Patient

PO42367-CSH-6pp Voice Therapy Leaflet.indd 2 21/11/2016 11:33