When all voice is gone – the silent reality of aphonia

There are times, in some people’s lives when all voice will be gone.  For most of us, it will be a short-lived experience. But the transient loss of voice associated a virus or infection provides a taster of the reality of total absence of voice known as aphonia.

What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia?

Muscle tension dysphonia is a commonly used term amongst ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) consultants / Otoloryngologists and voice specialist Speech & Language Therapists. It is often used as an umbrella term encompassing vocal hoarseness or voice difficulty relating to vocal strain.

Gender Climate Diversities: A Global Perspective

The individual experiences of trans people can vary significantly from person to person. Even in ‘developed’ countries, where advances have been made, scope for enhancements always exist. Set backs are an inevitability on the path of progress as demonstrated by the backlash following the revision of the U.K’s 2004 Gender Recognition Act (GRA) in 2015. For Transgender Awareness week, it seems fitting to cast a wide scope over events experienced by trans and gender diverse people of the world.

A Bridge Over Troubled Voices

This October, the BBC welcomingly celebrated the 80th Autumnal birthdays of both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It was nostalgically heartwarming to hear the podcasts, watch the concert in Central Park again and hear the amazing songs. I don’t know if it was because I heard and sang along to Bridge Over Troubled Water several times, that the word ‘bridge’ … Read More

Working with Professional Voice – the value of ENT & SLT collaboration

Ahead of the RSM Laryngology & Rhinology division‘s webinar on The Professional Voice, on 5 th February, I’m mindful once again of how valuable close ENT & SLT working is to caring for our patients and clients. In this particular webinar, I’ll be taking part in the professional panel, as a voice specialist SLT, responding to any questions that may come … Read More

‘We’ll Meet Again’ – How voices can shine through in a time of crisis

In our time of national lockdown, with the country looking for glimmers of hope, there’s been a resurgence of the term ‘We’ll Meet Again.’ It’s a term synonymous with one song and one voice in particular: the voice of Dame Vera Lynn. Though Dame Vera was not a Dame when she first recorded that song, her unmistakeable voice and what … Read More