Implications for the Speech Language Pathologist
According to Dr. Barbara Brindle, a professor in voice disorders at Western Kentucky University, it is important that the SLP not make any decisions regarding voice therapy pending ENT results because there are many medical problems that can contribute to the voice deviation. When dealing with any voice disorder, an important implication for the SLP is to identify the cause of the disorder to rule out serious illnesses or causes such as cancer. Hoarseness, one of several symptoms of vocal fold paralysis, is a primary symptom of laryngeal cancer, therefore it is important that an SLP give a referral to an ENT to come up with a medical diagnosis.