How is voice produced? Voice is any sound that is produced by our vocal folds including yelling, shouting, screaming, babbling, talking and singing. The voice box (larynx) is where the vocal folds are situated. The larynx is also referred to as the voice-generating system. Vocal folds are twin mucous membrane infoldings that are stretched across the larynx. Voice (or vocalisation) is the sound produced when air travels from the lungs through … [Read more...]
About Eugene Pillay
Ventricular Phonation
What are Ventricular Vocal Folds? Ventricular folds (also known as the false vocal folds) are twin infoldings of delicate membranous tissue that sit superiorly and laterally to the true vocal folds. The voice box (larynx) is where the true vocal folds and ventricular vocal folds are situated. The larynx is also referred to as the voice-generating system. The true vocal folds are twin mucous membrane infoldings that are stretched across the … [Read more...]
Vocal Fold Granulomas
What are vocal fold granulomas? A granuloma is a benign large growth that typically occurs at the posterior (back) third part of vocal fold, located in the larynx (voice box). Contact granulomas may occur on one or both of the vocal folds. Granulomas may occur directly on the vocal fold or on one of the mucosal surfaces located on the vocal process. The growth may prevent and inhibit adequate glottic closure as the vocal folds are not able to … [Read more...]
Voice Disorders: Why do singers lose their voice?
There is no conjecture that Whitney Houston’s voice was simply “The Voice” of the 80’s and 90’s. Her beautiful mezzo-soprano could resonate and send shivers down your spine. At her peak, she was referred to as simply “The Voice” with her perfect combination of passion, splendour and brilliance. However, whatever happened to that glorious voice that we all fell in love with? In later life (prior to her unfortunate death) Whitney Houston’s voice … [Read more...]
Puberphonia
What is Puberphonia? Puberphonia is a psychogenic voice disorder, in which vocal quality is disturbed due to psychological reasons. As such, there are no structural or functional causes that manifest or give rise to the occurrence of this type of voice disorder. Puberphonia refers to the unusually high-pitched vocal quality that males may experience due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty, to which a voice change is expected to take … [Read more...]
Chronic Laryngitis
What is Laryngitis? Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal folds and larynx (voice box). Laryngitis occurs in various forms from acute to chronic. An acute bout of laryngitis is often caused by a brief illness or respiratory infection, either bacterial or viral in nature. Voice production is directly affected with complaints of hoarseness of the voice and/or a sore throat. Chronic laryngitis is more persistent resulting in lingering … [Read more...]
Vocal Polyps
What are Vocal Polyps? Vocal polyps are large masses or unilateral growths that develop at the level of the vocal folds, located in the larynx (voice box). Vocal polyps may be solid or fluid filled, and can become quite large almost occluding the airways. An organic voice disorder occurs due to changes in the structures of the voice box (larynx) or the nerves that control voice production. As such, structural disorders can be caused by lesions … [Read more...]
Halloween & Encouraging a Child’s Imagination
Halloween and Imagination Halloween is a fantastic time of year to get our creativity thinking caps on! It is especially a great time of year in a child’s life to encourage imagination, social skills and creativity. Through interactive games, storytelling and pretend play a child learns how to play fair, cooperate, develop friendships, and build self-confidence. Imagining oneself as a monster or a ghost helps develop a child’s thoughts and … [Read more...]
Presbyphonia
What is Presbyphonia? As we age, our bodies progressively change – our hair may start to thin and grey, our joints stiffen, our skin changes and our muscles may weaken. Aging affects the whole body, including the way we communicate and sound. Presbyphonia is a term used to describe structural changes of the larynx caused by aging, which may account for voice alterations as a person gets older. As part of the normal aging process the muscles … [Read more...]
Spasmodic Dysphonia
About Spasmodic Dysphonia Spasmodic dysphonia is an organic voice disorder. It is caused by involuntary spasms of the muscles located in the larynx (voice box). An organic voice disorder occurs due to changes to the structures of the voice box, or the nerves that control vocal fold movement. Spasmodic dysphonia is also idiopathic in nature, meaning there is no known cause. Research suggests that both psychological (traumatic or emotional … [Read more...]
