What Types of Treatments Are Available For Voice Problems?

Depending on the nature of the voice problem, one or several forms of treatment may be recommended. If a medical or surgical treatment is required, the appropriate prescriptions, referrals or surgical steps will be offered. Sometimes medical or surgical treatments are most successful if they are combined with a course of voice therapy or other rehabilitation therapies. The source of therapy depends largely on where you live, and what types of public or private services are available to you in your community.

Quite frequently, voice therapy is recommended to patients consulting in the Voice Clinic. Voice therapy is directed by Speech-Language Pathologists, and may be provided in public health clinics, hospitals, school-districts, special rehabilitation centres, and private clinics. Depending on the service-provider, there may or may not be a waiting period for voice therapy services, and there may or may not be a professional fee. It is useful to contact providers of your extended health plan, worker's compensation plan, or life-insurance plan policy in advance of treatment, to determine what degree of coverage you have for "speech therapy". This helps you and your voice evaluation team determine the full scope of options you may have for a voice therapy program.

Some services, like the Pacific Voice Clinic / PVCrp, may provide therapy in group formats for individuals with certain types of voice problems. This may include preventive workshops for occupational or professional voice users. See the Rehabilitation Programs section for more details. Other clinics offer one-to-one therapy to treat individuals with a variety of different voice problems. The services offered depend on each clinic's policies, philosophies and clinic mandates. The voice care team will assist you in determining what types of therapy program would be most beneficial and/or convenient for you.

What Do I Need To Do To Proceed With a Voice Clinic Referral?

In order for your B.C. medical plan to cover physician expenses, you will need a referral from your doctor to the Pacific Voice Clinic. Once we have been contacted by your doctor, we will send you a 2-sided information form. You will also find the form at the end of this section, which you can print and send to us. You should fill in the form as accurately and completely as possible. Remember, the information you provide will help us determine which members of the Voice Clinic team should be present for your evaluation. Your cooperation will help save time, and ensure your medical care is as expedient and effective as possible. Once you have completed the form, please mail or fax it to the PVCrp secretary at:

Pacific Voice Clinic
G & L Diamond Health Care Centre
Vancouver General Hospital
4th Floor, 2775 Laurel Street
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 1M9

Phone: (604) 875-4204
Fax (604) 875-5382

You will be contacted within a few days of our receipt of your completed form, so that we can arrange an appointment. The secretary can provide you with specific information on our location, parking, accomodation, etc.

Voice Clinic Team Members You May Meet

• Murray Morrison, MD, FRCSC, otolaryngologist
• Linda Rammage, PhD, S-LP(C), speech-language pathologist
• Hamish Nicol, MB, FRCPC, psychiatrist
• Bruce Pullan, MA, singing pedagogy specialist
• Neurology specialists
• Interns from UBC otolaryngology and speech-language pathology training programs and post-doctoral and sabbatical fellows from other medical centres around the world.

If you have further questions about the Pacific Voice Clinic / PVCrp, please contact the Voice Clinic secretary, by phone at (604) 875-4204 or by fax at (604) 875-5382

You can download a copy of the patient information form ("patient_information_form.doc" - Microsoft Word format). Please print a copy, fill it out as completely as possible,and send it to the address or fax above.