Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Treatments

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Voice

During your first visit, we will do a voice evaluation which will include a videostroboscopy, a recording of your voice and airflow during speech, and some other assessments of your voice. Then, we will determine if you need treatment. Treatment would consist of several visits back to clinic for voice therapy. Available treatments include:

  • For hoarseness (a bad sounding voice):
    • Resonant voice therapy
    • Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises
  • For tight muscles:
    • Myofascial release
    • Laryngeal massage
  • For vocal strengthening:
    • PhorTE (Phonation Resistance Training Exercise)
    • LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy)
  • Singing and voice technique
  • Voice re-assignment for transgender patients

Swallowing

During your first visit, we will do a swallowing evaluation. The type of evaluation will depend on your symptoms, but may include:

For these evaluations, you will have to eat food and drink liquids and we will observe your swallowing ability for strength, timing, and coordination. Then, we will determine if you need swallowing treatment. Treatment would consist of several visits back to clinic for swallowing therapy.

Breathing

During your first visit, we will do a voice and breathing evaluation. The type of evaluation will depend on your symptoms, but it will likely include feeling the muscles of your throat, asking you questions about your symptoms, and perhaps measuring the amount of airflow through your throat while talking and breathing. Then, we will determine if you need breathing treatment, which may also be called voice treatment. Treatment would consist of several visits back to clinic for therapy. Available treatments include:

Language and Speech

During your first visit, we will do an evaluation. The type of evaluation will depend on your symptoms, but may include us asking you many questions, to read and write, and/or allow us to take a recording of your voice. Then, we will determine if you need further treatment. Treatment would consist of several visits back to clinic for therapy.