User:Jozacha/sandbox

The article I have chosen to work on is Puberphonia.

While there is a good outline of information in the article already, generally describing this condition, the write up is lacking details. I propose to add details to the list of different treatment techniques, explaining each one of them and how they are accomplished. There are multiple terms that are used in the list that are not layman's terms, for example, "glottal attack" and "half swallow Broom technique". It would be useful for the public to define these in the article.

Bibliography:

http://www.jorl.net/otolaryngology/puberphonia-conservative-approach-a-review.pdf

https://link-springer-com.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-1-4899-2903-7.pdf

https://link-springer-com.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-1-4899-2861-0_18.pdf

Draft for Puberphonia edits (Treatment section):

copied from Puberphonia This condition is most often by voice therapy (vocal exercises) by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) /speech therapists who have experience in treating voice disorders. The duration of treatment can usually be one to two weeks.
 * Voice therapy

Techniques used include:
 * Cough: The patient is asked to apply pressure on the Adam's apple and cough. This results in the shortening of the vocal folds which is the physiological mechanism that reduces pitch. The patient can thus practice a voice with lower pitch.
 * Speech range masking: This procedure works on the theory that when speaking in noisy backgrounds, people speak louder and more clearly in order to be heard. The patient practices speaking while a masking noise is playing. Then, the patient listens to a recording of his/her voice as it was in masking session and tries to match it without the masking. By doing this, the patient practices their 'loud and clear' voice.
 * Glottal attack before a vowel: A glottal attack is when the vocal folds are fully closed and then pushed open by the air pressure from breathing out or making a sound. In this technique, the patient breathes in and then makes a vowel as he/she breathes out.
 * Laryngeal musculature relaxation techniques: Laryngeal muscles surround the vocal folds and by relaxing them, there is reduced pressure on the vocal folds. This can be done by yawning and subsequently sighing, exaggerated chewing while speaking, and speaking or singing the 'm' sound.
 * Visi pitch: This is a machine which allows patients to speak with optimum parameters of speaking voice (as specified by their therapist) by providing patients visual feedback for their voice as they speak.
 * Lowering of larynx to appropriate position: The larynx is lowered by the patient by putting pressure on the Adam's apple. By lowering the larynx, the vocal folds relax, and thus pitch is lowered. The patient does this while speaking to practice speaking with a lower pitch.
 * Humming while sliding down the scale: The patient starts humming at the highest pitch that they can reach and then keeps lowering the pitch while humming. This allows the patient to practice using a lower pitch and also to relax the laryngeal muscles.
 * Half swallow Boom technique: The patient says 'boom" just after swallowing. This is repeated with the patient turning his/her head to either side and also while lowering the chin. After practice, the patient adds more words. This technique helps to close the vocal folds completely.