| 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
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