Blog: Speech Therapy Tips, Voice Care, & Gender-Affirming Voice Insights

If you’ve noticed your voice doesn’t sound like it used to—maybe it’s weaker, shakier, hoarse, or harder to project—you’re not imagining things. This is a real and common condition called presbyphonia , or age-related voice changes. And despite how many people experience it, it’s still one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare. Let’s talk about what’s actually happening—and more importantly, what you can do about it. What Is Presbyphonia? Presbyphonia refers to changes i

Swallowing is something most of us take for granted—until it becomes difficult. When swallowing problems occur, they can affect nutrition, hydration, health, and overall quality of life. These difficulties, known medically as dysphagia , are evaluated and treated by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) , the medical professionals specifically trained in the anatomy and physiology of swallowing. In today’s healthcare environment, swallowing care can often be delivered through a

Voice technology is advancing rapidly. Artificial intelligence can now synthesize speech, clone voices, and narrate entire audiobooks. But as voice technology becomes more sophisticated, one persistent challenge remains: accurately representing gender in voice . Many AI voice systems attempt to classify voices as “male” or “female” based on acoustic features such as pitch. However, human listeners know that gender perception in voice is far more complex. As a speech-language

For professional voice users, vocal surgery can feel devastating — not just physically, but emotionally and financially. One of the hardest parts of recovery is hearing this: “Your singing voice may take several months to fully return.” While the vocal folds may appear healed within weeks, true performance-level recovery often takes significantly longer. For singers, 3-5 months is not unusual. Sometimes more. Why? Because recovery is not just about tissue healing. It’s abou

Singing is both an art and a physical skill. Whether you’re performing eight shows a week, preparing for an audition, or singing simply because you love it, your voice needs strong technique, expressive freedom, and long-term sustainability to truly thrive. At Blue Ridge Speech & Voice , our singing lessons are designed to support the whole singer . We combine performance-based training with evidence-informed vocal care to help singers build voices that are not only expressi

Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak, understand language, read, or write. It most often occurs...

Blue Ridge Speech & Voice offers therapy entirely online, and many people have questions about how it works. Below we answer some of the...

Gender-affirming voice therapy is about more than pitch. It’s a collaborative process that helps you shape a voice that reflects who you...

If you’ve ever felt persistent tightness in your throat or noticed your voice becoming hoarse and fatigued—even when you haven’t been...

When we think about how voices are perceived, most people first imagine pitch —the notes we hit when we speak. While pitch does play a...

At Blue Ridge Speech & Voice, our goal is to give you the best support possible—not just during sessions, but in between them too. That’s...

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, many of us see fall as a season of transition. For students, it’s the start of a...

For many transgender and nonbinary individuals, aligning their voice with their gender identity is a deeply affirming step in their...

Voice is deeply personal. It's one of the primary ways we express ourselves and connect with others. For many transgender and nonbinary...