Speech and voice disorders

Phoniatrics

At Tays, we study and treat patients who have voice, speech, talking, linguistic functioning, language and/or swallowing disorders. Treatment is allocated to basic health care or specialised health care based on the severity of the problem.

The problem may be caused, for example, by the following:

  • a linguistic special difficulty
  • other neurological development special difficulties
  • a broad-ranged developmental disorder
  • a functional voice disorder
  • a prolonged laryngitis
  • a vocal cord paralysis
  • cancer.

Tests and treatment at Tays

At Tays, it is possible to perform the following tests and procedures, for example:

  • Rehabilitation tests for children with speech and language disorders
  • Oromotor (mouth area) tests and guidance
  • Speech therapy arrangements and follow-up monitoring for children with a cleft lip and palate .
  • Tests, therapy and instructions for voice disorder patients
  • Eating and swallowing disorder tests
  • Speech, voice and swallowing rehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients
  • Group rehabilitation for cancer patients
  • Botulinum toxin treatment

Tests are first programmed based on the referral information. Possible additional tests as well as the treatment and rehabilitation procedures will be planned at the physician's appointment based on the received information and findings.

Botulinum toxin treatment

Botulinum toxin is used in the treatment of voice and breathing disorders. At the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic, botulinum toxin treatment is given mainly to patients who are diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder caused by malfunctioning of the muscles of the larynx. This treatment may also be considered for patients with vocal tremor, a vocal cord dysfunction, a laryngospasm or a bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Botulinum toxin is usually injected on both sides of the vocal cord muscle. The injection site is on the front side of the neck, between the cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage. The treatment is practically painless with only a slight amount of discomfort. The skin may be anaesthetised if necessary. The procedure lasts about 15 minutes, after which the patient may go home.

Special expertise at Tays

Tays has special expertise in phoniatrics in the areas of instrumental clinical voice assessment and diagnostic short rehabilitation tests for children with developmental delay. A university hospital's tasks also include education, teaching and research.

Person in charge

Deputy Chief Physician Marja Asikainen