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The Hidden Cause of Your Chronic Coughing and Throat Clearing, and How to Fix It: Neurolaryngeal Hypersensitivity (NLH)
The Hidden Cause of Your Chronic Coughing and Throat Clearing, and How to Fix It: Neurolaryngeal Hypersensitivity (NLH)

Do you have a continuous, irresistible urge to cough or clear your throat, even when you're not sick? Or, do you have odd sensations and even pain in your throat with no obvious cause? Maybe you've been told your lungs are clear, your reflux is under control, and your allergies aren't severe enough to explain your symptoms, yet the symptoms continue.

One possible explanation is a condition called “neurolaryngeal hypersensitivity” (NLH).

Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVTEs) as Prescriptive and Behavioral Voice Tools
Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVTEs) as Prescriptive and Behavioral Voice Tools

SOVTEs: Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises are tools like lip trills, straw phonation, and cup bubbles (among many others) that create “back pressure” in the vocal tract (send pressure backwards from the mouth to the top of the vocal folds) by creating a partial cover at the sound’s exit (the mouth). The higher the back pressure, the harder it is for the vocal folds to squeeze because air is pushing them apart from the top and bottom. (It’s hard to overpower those dual pressures by squeezing between the vocal folds.) The level of “squeeze” between the vocal folds is called “transglottal pressure”. Additionally, SOVTEs shake/massage the surface of the vocal folds, which increases blood flow to the tissues and helps with healing and inflammation. Finally, using an SOVTE requires the user to create consistent airflow. BASICALLY: They are VERY SAFE (if done efficiently)! But, SOVTEs are not a “catch all”/fix all, especially in the case of pathology. 

The Happy Larynx: Caring For Your Voice With Vocal Health, Part 1: Hydration
The Happy Larynx: Caring For Your Voice With Vocal Health, Part 1: Hydration

Voice problems can onset suddenly and cause concern and stress for the professional and non-professional voice user alike. Managing a voice problem should be done with an interdisciplinary care team comprised of a fellowship-trained laryngologist and voice-specialized SLP. In the case of the professional singer, the care team should also include a clinical singing voice rehabilitation specialist, and the non-clinical voice teacher. A laryngeal exam should be obtained prior to working with a voice therapist, and should include videostroboscopy. The patient should save the video at the end of the exam for easy communication between professionals regarding the case.

The Happy Larynx: Caring For Your Voice With Vocal Health, Part 1: Hydration
Vocal Health Brittani Farrell Vocal Health Brittani Farrell

The Happy Larynx: Caring For Your Voice With Vocal Health, Part 1: Hydration

Voice problems can onset suddenly and cause concern and stress for the professional and non-professional voice user alike. Managing a voice problem should be done with an interdisciplinary care team comprised of a fellowship-trained laryngologist and voice-specialized SLP. In the case of the professional singer, the care team should also include a clinical singing voice rehabilitation specialist, and the non-clinical voice teacher. A laryngeal exam should be obtained prior to working with a voice therapist, and should include videostroboscopy. The patient should save the video at the end of the exam for easy communication between professionals regarding the case.

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