Office management of speech problems.

Abstract

The majority of patients with speech problems can be handled quickly by the laryngologist in the office. He can, while pursuing the course of laryngeal pathology, institute vocal training as an adjunct to required medical or surgical treatment. Sometimes within as few as two or three visits the patient's speech rehabilitation is complete. A close relationship between many speech problems and emotional disturbance has been conclusively demonstrated by Dr. Paul Moses. 1 Often the laryngologist can have speech rehabilitation well on its way while psychotherapy is being instituted. The following cases will indicate how a simple, workable program for office management of speech problems is provided. The severer problems of speech, including stuttering, asphasia, and articulatory problems, are of course referred to a speech clinic or speech therapist. The use of improper pitch is a very common type of vocal abuse. Froeschels 2 demonstrated clearly that faulty pitch produces uneven