PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES OF SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST IN TREATING PRESBYPHONIA.

Abstract

Background: Aging has an impact on phonatory system, just like it does for every other system in the body. As the person ages, larynx ages together with the body which result in Presbyphonia. The voice may change because of these growth-related changes. Voice disorder (Presbyphonia) in the elderly have a significant impact on communication and quality of life.

Objective: To identify the current therapy practices of SLPs for the treatment of presbyphonia in elderly patients.

Study design: A cross sectional survey was conducted in hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for the duration of six months. A convenient sampling technique was used for data collection. Both male and female Speech Language Pathologists were included in the study with their highest degree level and having at least two years’ experience working with voice disorders or presbyphonia. The total sample size was n=100 SLPs out of which n= 15 were male and n=85 were females. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results:  The results of the study indicated that 75%  respondents out of 100 sample size reported that speech therapy was their first course of treatment. Majority of the participants stated that physiologic-based treatments for presbyphonia was beneficial which included 22% reported using resonant voice therapy and 18% reported using Lee Silverman voice treatment. The therapy sessions taken for treatment of Presbyphonia was twice a month with duration of 30 to 60 minutes by the Speech Language Pathologist.

Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that voice therapy was highly beneficial. Most SLPs used resonant voice therapy as primary treatment option followed by Lee Silver Man voice treatment for presbyphonia.