A speech pathologist is a health care professional who is qualified to provide assessment and therapy for people experiencing problems with communication and swallowing. Voice Freedom specialises in helping people with voice disorders, chronic cough, middle and upper airway dysfunction and other conditions. Speech pathologists work closely with other health professionals in treatment teams.

While you do not need a medical referral to see a speech pathologist, it is strongly recommended you first see a diagnostic voice service such a multi-disciplinary clinic or an ENT Surgeon / Laryngologist. This involves an endoscopic exam to visually assess your throat and vocal folds to provide a diagnosis. This is needed to target your therapy to the underlying problem.

Voice therapy services are a 1:1 appointment where you will be assessed and provided with education, targeted voice exercises and a plan for how you will implement change in your daily life. For most voice problems, change and improvement can be expected after 1-2 sessions of voice therapy, and a typical therapy block would be about 4 sessions.

Pre- and post-operative voice therapy is recommended to maximise the outcomes for a range of voice surgeries. Research suggests that pre-operative therapy is helpful to prepare you to care for your voice and improve the function of your voice before voice surgery. Post-operative voice therapy helps to guide you back to your everyday voice use.

Yes! Many singers will access the services of a voice specialising speech pathologist, but voice therapy can be helpful for a range of voice problems and for many people who are not singers or professional voice users.

Many patients are eligible to access a Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan through their GP, or to claim speech pathology fees through their private health insurance. Please see fees for further detail.