Subsequent clinic management
Specialist upper airway speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment one
week after injury revealed turbulence on inspiration, a weak, breathy
voice and swallowing impairment. Initial therapy focused on voice
conservation and postural adjustments to avoid further strain and
facilitate healing, use of core breathing patterns combined with
exercises to encourage vocal fold abduction.
Over eight therapy sessions, the intensity of laryngeal abduction and
forward resonance exercises was increased with improvements to both
voice and respiratory function. Biofeedback laryngoscopy was used to
improve laryngeal control for breathing.