Speech Therapy

Dysphagia/Swallowing Dysfunction Therapy Program

Currently, an estimated 1 in 25 Americans are living with a diagnosed swallowing disorder known as dysphagia. Dysphagia can result from a stroke, head injury, head/neck cancer, various neurological disorders or without any known cause. It is a serious disorder that can vary in its severity. Some individuals have trouble chewing and swallowing certain textures or consistencies of food and liquids. Others may be completely unable to swallow any food or liquid, or even their own saliva, and must receive all of their nutrition through a feeding tube. Dysphagia can diminish a person's quality of life by causing an individual to withdraw from social events and interactions that involve eating and drinking.  

Our speech therapists perform comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to determine the cause and severity of the dysphagia and to develop an appropriate plan of treatment. The examination may include:

• Visual inspection of the oral structures
• Observation of chewing and swallowing of various foods and liquids (occurs during an office visit)
• Radiological examination of the chewing and swallowing processes (conducted in the radiology department with a radiologist and a speech therapist)

Based on the results, our speech therapists develop individualized dysphagia therapy programs combining traditional techniques with the latest technology. The newest treatment in dysphagia involves the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Small electrodes are strategically placed on the front of the neck to target specific swallowing muscles. A mild electrical current is emitted to stimulate a contraction in the muscles while eating and drinking. Performed by one of our specially trained speech therapists, VitalStim therapy is an FDA-approved system for the treatment of swallowing disorders. Our VitalStim-certified therapists help patients "re-educate" the muscles necessary for safe and efficient swallowing.

Voice Evaluation and Therapy

We provide diagnosis and treatment for patients experiencing voice problems such as hoarseness, loss of voice or weak voice. These conditions are often associated with extended laryngitis, gastric reflux, vocal cord paralysis or neurological illness such as Parkinson's disease. 

Stroke Rehabilitation

The loss of receptive and/or expressive language skills due to a stroke is known as aphasia. Persons with aphasia may experience difficulty performing the communication-related activities of daily living.

Speech therapy following a stroke can improve speaking, listening, reading, writing, reasoning and swallowing impairments. To complement traditional speech therapy services for aphasia, speech generating devices, such as Lingraphica, PRC or Dynavox, improve functional communication. Also, various computer software programs and applications for use in therapy and at home, exist for speech practice.

If additional rehabilitative services are needed, our multi-disciplinary team of speech, physical and occupational therapists will coordinate a comprehensive treatment approach and schedule that will facilitate your recovery.

Head & Neck Cancer Treatment

Speech and swallowing therapies are available for individuals who have had surgical and/or radiological treatment for cancer in the head and neck. For those who have had their larynx removed, services include voice prosthesis fittings and artificial larynx instruction.

Our speech language pathologists focus on increasing the patient’s ability to communicate and to swallow by providing a thorough evaluation and developing a treatment program targeted to each patient’s needs. Our therapists then apply a range of treatment techniques to improve the patient’s speech, voice, language and swallowing functions.

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing (FEES)

FEES is a minimally invasive procedure that speech pathologists use to assess how well a patient swallows. It’s also used to examine how certain treatment options may work. An instrument called an endoscope goes down the patient’s nose and into the top portion of their throat. It has a tiny camera attached so that the speech pathologist can view the necessary areas and watch what happens when the patient swallows.

Videostroboscopy

Videostroboscopy is a minimally invasive procedure utilizing high-definition imaging and a special stroboscopy light for detailed visualization of your laryngeal function and characteristics of your vocal folds. Procedure is done either with a rigid or flexible HD laryngoscope. A speech pathologist will perform this procedure to evaluate complaints of hoarseness, chronic cough, change in vocal quality, decreased vocal intensity, change in pitch range and/or loss of voice.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment - LOUD Program (LSVT^® LOUD)

A scientifically documented program for treating voice and speech disorders for people with Parkinson’s disease and other similar neurological conditions. LSVT LOUD can improve both the voice and speech of individuals with Parkinson’s disease by focusing on improving vocal loudness.