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To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: RE: Spastic dysphonia
Date sent: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 15:18:16 -0000
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Dear Sharon,
Spastic dysphonia is caused by spasticity of the vocal folds, which means
getting the vocal folds closed properly on phonation is difficult or
impossible. Various treatments include injecting botulism to keep one of the
folds steady, or even teflon (I think).

Some sufferers have learnt to compensate by speaking on inspired air, rather
than expired air. This is a vocal style that is rather difficult to listen
to, but is probably better than not being able to speak at all. I understand
that singing is often slightly easier than speaking, with this condition.

There is a professor of Anaesthesia at St Vincent's Hospital here in Sydney
that suffers from spastic dysphonia, and he has joined together with one of
the hospital's voice scientists to hold conferences and meetings, and write
papers about it. His name is Don Harrison, though I'm not sure how you would
contact him. Perhaps there is a St Vincent's Web site.

Felicity