Voice and speech Health Dictionary

Voice And Speech: From 1 Different Sources


Terms applied to the sounds produced in the upper AIR PASSAGES which form one of the means of communication between human beings. Air passes through the LARYNX to produce the fundamental notes and tones known as voice. This is then modi?ed during its passage through the mouth so as to form speech or song.

Voice This has three varying characteristics: loudness, pitch, and quality or timbre. Loudness depends on the volume of air available and therefore on the size of the chest and the strength of its muscles. Pitch is determined by larynx size, the degree of tenseness at which the vocal cords are maintained, and whether the cords vibrate as a whole or merely at their edges.

In any given voice, the range of pitch seldom exceeds two and a half octaves. Typically, the small larynx of childhood produces a shrill or treble voice; the rapid growth of the larynx around PUBERTY causes the voice to ‘break’ in boys. Changes in the voice also occur at other ages as a result of the secondary action of the SEX HORMONES. Generally speaking, the adult voice is bass and tenor in men, contralto or soprano in women. Timbre is due to di?erences in the larynx, as well as to voluntary changes in the shape of the mouth.

Speech Rapid modi?cations of the voice, produced by movements of the PALATE, tongue and lips. Infants hear the sounds made by others and mimic them; hence the speech centres in the BRAIN are closely connected with those of hearing.

Defects of speech See below, and also SPEECH DISORDERS. MUTISM, or absence of the power to speak, may be due to various causes. LEARNING DISABILITY that prevents the child from mimicking the actions of others is most common; in other cases the child has normal intelligence but some neurological disorder, or disorder of the speech organs, is responsible. Alternatively, complete DEAFNESS or early childhood ear disease may be the cause. STAMMERING is a highly individual condition, but is basically a lack of coordination between the di?erent parts of the speech mechanism. (See also main entry on STAMMERING.) DYSPHASIA is the inability to speak or understand speech, most commonly following brain disease, such as STROKE. APHONIA or loss of voice may be caused by LARYNGITIS or, rarely, a symptom of conversion and dissociative mental disorders – traditionally referred to as HYSTERIA. It is generally of short duration.

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Speech Therapy

The treatment of speech and communication disorders.... speech therapy

Scanning Speech

A speech disorder in which articulated syllables are wrongly spaced and each is given the same vocal emphasis. The condition occurs as a result of disease in the cerebellum (see BRAIN) or its connecting nerves. (See also VOICE AND SPEECH.)... scanning speech

Speech Disorders

These may be of physical or psychological origin – or a combination of both. Di?culties may arise at various stages of development: due to problems during pregnancy; at birth; caused by childhood illnesses; or as a result of delayed development. Congenital defects such as CLEFT PALATE or lip may make speech unintelligible until major surgery is performed, thus discouraging talking and delaying development. Recurrent ear infections may make hearing dif?cult; the child’s experience of speech is thus limited, with similar results. Childhood DYSPHASIA occurs if the language-development area of the BRAIN develops abnormally; specialist education and SPEECH THERAPY may then be required.

Dumbness is the inability to pronounce the sounds that make up words. DEAFNESS is the most important cause, being due to a congenital brain defect, or acquired brain disease, such as tertiary SYPHILIS. When hearing is normal or only mildly impaired, dumbness may be due to a structural defect such as tongue-tie or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or to ine?cient voice control, resulting in lisping or lalling. Increased tension is a common cause of STAMMERING; speech disorders may occasionally be of psychological origin.

Normal speech may be lost in adulthood as a result of a STROKE or head injury. Excessive use of the voice may be an occupational hazard; and throat cancer may require a LARYNGECTOMY, with subsequent help in communication. Severe psychiatric disturbance may be accompanied by impaired social and communication skills. (See also VOICE AND SPEECH.)

Treatment The underlying cause of the problem should be diagnosed as early as possible; psychological and other specialist investigations should be carried out as required, and any physical defect should be repaired. People who are deaf and unable to speak should start training in lip-reading as soon as possible, and special educational methods aimed at acquiring a modulated voice should similarly be started in early childhood – provided by the local authority, and continued as required. Various types of speech therapy or PSYCHOTHERAPY may be appropriate, alone or in conjunction with other treatments, and often the ?nal result may be highly satisfying, with a good command of language and speech being obtained.

Help and advice may be obtained from AFASIC (Unlocking Speech and Language).... speech disorders

Tea For Voice

There are many stories about how great singers used a certain decoction before going on stage in order to make their voice sound great. However, the truth is that no tea can work miracles if you’re not very talented. All herbal remedies work with what you already have, improving your strength and enhancing your body resistance. Generally, any kind of hot tea will make your voice sound a lot better, but when you add some anti inflammatory properties and some cleansing effects, you could say that a tea can really make the difference between a good performance and a terrific show. How Tea for Voice Works Thanks to their active constituents, these teas cleanse your respiratory tubes and increase your antibodies level so that you won’t have difficulties when singing, such as sore throats. However, traditional medicine doesn’t have a miraculous remedy that could make you sing better; so many practitioners specialize in herbal tinctures and decoctions. Since enhancing your vocal endurance is not a serious condition, you may want to try a tea that’s both efficient and safe. Efficient Tea for Voice When choosing a Tea for Voice, you need to pick the ones with an elevated level of nutrients and minerals and avoid the ones with a high dose of acids. If you don’t know which these teas are, here’s a list to choose from: - Chamomile Tea – has anti-inflammatory and anti-soreness properties, not to mention its lovely taste and fragrance. You can also use it to treat headaches, stress, anxiety, menstrual and menopausal pains, as well as diabetes. This Tea for Voice is one hundred percent safe and it can even replace your morning coffee. However, don’t drink more than 6 cups per day or you’ll get diarrhea. - Ginger Tea – aside from its use as a great adjuvant in cases of anemia and auto-immune diseases, this miraculous Chinese tea can make your voice sound louder and clearer. Just make sure you use a small amount of herbs when preparing this decoction in order to avoid stomach irritations and acid foods and drinks intolerance. - Sage Tea – also good for sleeplessness and arterial problems, this Tea for Voice is a great remedy for your throat. It will energize your entire body and rejuvenate your vocal cords. Pay attention though: don’t drink more than 2 cups per day for a short time period. Tea for Voice Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, don’t exceed the number of cups recommended per day in order to avoid other health complications, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, constipation or upset stomach. Also, if you notice some skin rashes, it’s best to ask your doctor as soon as possible. If you have the medical approval and there’s nothing that could interfere with your treatment, choose a Tea for Voice that fits you best and enjoy its wonderful health benefits!... tea for voice

Oesophageal Speech

A technique for producing speech after surgical removal of the larynx (see laryngectomy).

Air is trapped in the oesophagus and is gradually expelled while the tongue, palate, and lips form distinguishable sounds.... oesophageal speech

Voice, Loss Of

Inability to speak normally. Temporary partial loss of voice commonly results from straining of the muscles of the larynx through overuse of the voice or from inflammation of the vocal cords in laryngitis. Persistent or recurrent voice loss may be due to polyps on the vocal cords, thickening of the cords in hypothyroidism, or interference with the nerve supply to the larynx muscles due to cancer of the larynx, thyroid gland, or oesophagus. Total loss of voice is rare and is usually of psychological origin. (See also hoarseness; larynx, disorders of.)... voice, loss of

Poverty Of Speech

brief hesitant speech using few words (often monosyllables) and lacking spontaneity. It can be observed in patients with schizophrenia, dementia, and depression.... poverty of speech

Speech

A system of sounds by which humans communicate. Children learn speech through listening to and imitating the speech of others.Speech production originates in 2 regions of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain. These regions are linked to the centre for language expression (Broca’s area) in the dominant hemisphere. They send signals down nerve pathways to muscles controlling the larynx, tongue, and other parts involved in speech. The cerebellum plays a part in coordinating movements of these parts. Air from the lungs is vibrated through the vocal cords in the larynx. This produces a noise, which is amplified in the cavities of the throat, nose, and sinuses. The sound of the vibrated air is modified by movements of the tongue, mouth, and lips to produce speech sounds.... speech

Speech And Language Therapy

the treatment of patients who have problems with communication or eating or drinking because of congenital causes, accidents, or illness (e.g. stroke). Speech and language therapists are *allied health professionals who have special training in this field.... speech and language therapy



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