Voice analysis and improvement
Concerns over how your voice sounds and situational voice problems are not uncommon and can have a big impact on social and professional lives. A voice analysis and improvement consultation aim to get the root cause of the problem and provide the appropriate treatment.
What does a consultation involve?
During your consultation, we’ll talk in detail about what you’d like to change about your voice and the situations where it affects you most. We’ll also explore other factors that can impact your voice, such as nasal allergies or certain medications.
With your permission, I’ll make a recording of your voice to carry out an acoustic analysis using specialised software. This will provide objective data on key vocal parameters, including pitch (fundamental frequency), loudness (intensity), jitter (frequency variation), shimmer (amplitude variation), and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), which give insights into the quality and stability of your voice.
I’ll also use a flexible endoscope to examine your nasal airways, throat, and vocal cords to identify any factors that might be contributing to your voice issues.
What treatments are available?
Treatments to improve your voice can vary widely and are tailored to address the underlying cause. These might include medications, surgical procedures, voice therapy, or vocal coaching. I can provide many of these treatments directly, or if needed, I can refer you to a trusted network of specialists for voice therapy or coaching. Below are some of the common conditions people seek help with.
Hypernasal voice: A hypernasal voice sounds like your nose is blocked. This is often due to reduced airflow through the nasal cavity when producing voice. This can be due to a range of factors such as large adenoids, nasal allergy and structural problems with the nose. Nasal blockage can be corrected to improve the sound of the voice using either medicine or surgery
Voice deepening: Some individuals feel that their voice is too high in pitch, and they wish to lower it to produce a deeper voice that is perceived as more typically masculine sounding. Voice therapy can be helpful in addressing this and helping to lower the pitch of the voice without surgical intervention. In others, surgery can be used to relax the tension on the vocal cords. This is performed under general anaesthesia (with you asleep) and requires a small scar on the neck.
Quiet voice: Difficulties in raising the loudness of your voice can cause problems with being heard in crowded environments and problems with public speaking. There are a number of different causes underlying difficulties in raising the loudness of your voice. Vocal therapy and training is often sufficient to overcome this. Occasionally, a problem with the way the vocal cord moves or the bulk of the vocal cord is detected and can be treated with medicine or surgery.
Situational Voice problems: Situational voice issues occur when voice difficulties arise in particular settings or circumstances, such as during public speaking or extended video calls. These challenges can stem from a range of factors such as improper vocal techniques, poor vocal hygiene, vocal cord inflammation, or even vocal cord atrophy. Treatment options typically involve a mix of voice therapy, medical interventions, and in some cases, surgery.
Book Your Consultation Today
Don’t let voice issues hinder your performance. Schedule an appointment with Nick Hamilton and take the first step towards vocal health and excellence.