are you wondering if you should see an ent with your voice problem or not in this video i'll tell
you why dealing with a voice issue without knowing exactly what is going on with your voice is like
throwing darts in the dark and why you need to make that appointment with the laryngologist today
hi i'm katie brina speech language pathologist and here on this channel i share practical
tips about using your voice in a healthy way so if this is a topic that interests
you consider subscribing to this channel and hitting that bell notification icon
so that you don't miss any of my future videos and in this video i want to talk about the biggest
misconceptions about fixing your voice without seeing a specialist sometimes i get emails with
videos or audios attached to them where people ask me to listen to their voice diagnose their
voice problem and tell them what they should be doing to fix their voice well let me be very
clear this is not possible that's not how it works nobody can tell what is going on with your voice
just by listening to it and that's because different voice problems can sound the same
different voice problems can feel the same that's why i often say in my videos do not self-diagnose
just because a description of a voice problem sounds very familiar to you it doesn't mean
you have that same voice problem sometimes i also get questions about the recommending
an exercise for a specific diagnosis or vocal issue for example people ask me if there is a
specific exercise for vocal nodules or if there is a straw for muscle tension dysphonia
or what steamer will help with vocal pain and again it does not work that way you can
have two people with vocal nodules and they may need two very different exercises or approaches
there is no straw or a steamer for a specific diagnosis or problem because two people with
the same diagnosis or vocal pain may have different factors that add to that extra tension
discomfort or pain and therefore require different approaches or exercises and sometimes i speak with
people who put themselves on a voice rest instead of visiting an ent in the hope that
the voice problem will go away and that may not be a bad idea if you are dealing with an
acute vocal fold swelling but if you are experiencing long term or recurrent voice problems
voice rest will not work it's not about using or not using your voice it's about how you use your
voice that probably leads to the voice problem and to know how your voice works and how you use it
can be only done with the help of an ent quickly let me tell you what an ent is ent stands for
ear throat and nose doctor if you are experiencing voice problems for more than two weeks then don't
go just to any ent make sure that you ask for a referral to see a laryngologist that is a special
doctor the t in the ent the throat doctor who understands voice problems and even better if
you can see a laryngologist in a voice center that is the best option in order to really know what
exercises what approaches what therapy your voice needs you need to know what your voice
looks like and how it functions and the only way to know that is to be assessed by a voice doctor
or laryngologist so instead of waiting for the voice problem to go away or trying home remedies
that don't work make that appointment today once you know what is going on with your voice you can
start the healing journey and i absolutely understand that the idea of assessing your voice
may be daunting it is the absolute first step you need to take to really find the right solution
for you if you want to know what to expect during a visit to a laryngologist click this
link to visit my website to learn more if you are experiencing vocal strain tension or even
pain when speaking and you are ready to work with me towards a free strong and confident voice you
can apply to our vocal freedom coaching system program check out the links in the description
below this video or this link right here okay that's all for today but before you go check
out the links in the description below for a walk through video with seven steps that lead
to a strong voice without tension if you want to know what body voice and mind factors you
need to consider to finally free your voice click those links in the description below this video
if you found this video helpful click the like button and share it with your friends who may need
this information and check out my other videos right here below and i'll see you in them bye now