[Dysphagia] Off-topic: Unusual voice pt

[robmelch70 at hotmail.com (Rob Melchionna)]

It sounds like there's really nothing wrong with her voice, she's just lost 
her perception of "pitch".  It doesn't sound like something we'd do as 
SLP's, maybe she should see a voice teacher and hopefully recover what's 
been lost.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9605/19/perfect.pitch/
is a CNN article on brain studies of "perfect pitch", the ability to 
determine a musical note upon hearing it.

And just my 2 cents as a musician whose "day job" happens to be that of an 
SLP, let's not forget that what one person may see as a "mild" stroke can be 
devestating to the patient... I couldn't imagine not being able to play 
music anymore...
Rob


>From: Sandi Lancaster <swlslp@yahoo.com>
>To: dysphagia listserve <dysphagia@b9.com>
>Subject: [Dysphagia] Off-topic: Unusual voice pt
>Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 07:53:31 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Hi all,
>
>I'm looking for suggestions on a pt I evaluated this week.
>
>69 y.o. woman had a CVA several weeks ago.  The CVA appears to have been 
>fairly mild overall in terms of its effects on her.  I received MD orders 
>to eval for for "dysarthria in a singer."  Her speech in conversation is 
>WNL; artic is fine, resonance is fine.  She indicated that her voice is 
>slightly lower in pitch than before the CVA.  No changes noted in vocal 
>quality, resonance, or loudness.  The real issue to her is that she noticed 
>about 1 week post-CVA that she is now singing "off-key".  She sings in 
>several choirs and so this is of considerable concern to her.
>
>I had her do maximal loudness and quiet voice tasks, as well as high pitch 
>and low pitch, all of which she can do WNL.  When she goes to do a scale, 
>she is, as she reported, slightly off-pitch.  (Probably about what I am on 
>a good day!)
>
>She is interested in doing exercises to improve her singing so that she can 
>continue to sing in the choirs, etc.  She is cognitively intact and I 
>expect that her follow-thorugh would be excellent.
>
>My question is:  will vocal function exercises be of help here?  My 
>understanding of the rationale with vocal function exercises is that they 
>"restore balance" to the larynx.  Any thoughts on whether vocal function 
>exercise may be of assistance?  Any other suggestions?
>
>I appreciate any input!
>
>-Sandi
>
>
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