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

If your inhaler does not relieve sudden throat tightness, noisy inhalation, or difficulty breathing in, the problem may be vocal cord dysfunction or EILO rather than—or in addition to—asthma. Learn how these conditions are diagnosed and how specialized speech therapy can help.

If you receive speech, language, cognitive, or voice therapy, you may notice some changes to the way your therapy sessions are billed beginning January 1, 2027. We know insurance and medical billing can be confusing, so we want to explain this change ahead of time—and, most importantly, what it may mean for you. What is changing? Currently, speech-language pathologists commonly use a billing code called CPT 92507 for individual treatment of speech, language, communication, an

When most people picture stroke rehabilitation, they imagine physical therapy helping someone walk again, or occupational therapy restoring the use of an arm or hand. What often goes unrecognized is that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are among the most important members of the rehabilitation team — and their role extends far beyond helping someone talk. At Blue Ridge Speech & Voice, we work with adults recovering from stroke through personalized telehealth speech therap

You've tried the allergy medications. The reflux protocol. Maybe an inhaler. Your scans came back normal. And you're still coughing. If that sounds familiar, you're in the right place — and you're far from alone. Millions of adults live with a cough that has outlasted every treatment their doctors have tried. It interrupts meetings, wakes you at night, cuts conversations short, and leaves you bracing for the next episode every time you laugh, sing, or step into cold air. Here

One of the most common questions we hear is: "Will my insurance cover gender-affirming voice therapy?" Here's the honest answer: It depends on your specific plan — and no one can guarantee how a claim will be processed before therapy actually takes place. We know that's not the simple yes or no you were hoping for. But we'd rather give you an honest answer now than make a promise no provider can actually keep. How We Verify Your Benefits Before You Begin Before your first app

One of the first questions prospective clients ask us is: "How long will therapy take?" It's a great question—and one we wish had a simple answer. The honest answer is: It depends. Some clients achieve their goals in just a handful of sessions. Others continue therapy for several months or longer. Every treatment plan is individualized because every person's goals, starting point, and communication needs are unique. There Isn't a "Typical" Number of Sessions People are often

If you're considering speech therapy or gender-affirming voice therapy, one of the most common questions we hear is: "Should I schedule the free consultation first, or should I go straight to an evaluation?" The answer depends on where you are in your decision-making process—and there's no pressure either way. Some people already know they're ready to begin therapy. Others simply want the opportunity to meet a clinician and ask a few questions before getting started. Here's h

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 p

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 expressive,

Blue Ridge Speech & Voice offers therapy entirely online, and many people have questions about how it works. Below we answer some of the most common ones—perfect for anyone considering telehealth services for voice, speech, swallowing, or cognitive concerns. What conditions can be treated through telehealth? Telehealth is effective for every service we offer, including gender-affirming voice therapy, Parkinson’s disease voice and speech therapy, swallowing (dysphagia) treatme

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 where Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) can help. What is RTM? Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is a program that allows your speech-language pathologist to stay connected to your progress between visits. Using a secure digital app or website, you can log your home practice, watch helpful treatment videos, answer quick check-in questio

Online speech therapy — also known as virtual speech therapy or telehealth speech services — has quickly become a popular and effective way to access care. But many people wonder: Does online therapy really work? The short answer: Yes! Virtual speech therapy can be just as effective as in-person care — and in some cases, even better. What Is Online Speech Therapy? Online speech therapy uses secure video platforms like Zoom to connect clients and speech-language pathologists (

The holiday season is a time of joy, gratitude, and togetherness, often centered around delicious meals and cherished family recipes. However, for individuals with swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia, these food-centered holidays can present unique challenges. At Blue Ridge Speech and Voice, we understand the emotional impact that dysphagia can have during the winter holidays. In this article, we hope to provide education on dysphagia and offer guidance on how to navigat

Most adults experience a hoarse voice at some point in our lives. If you've ever experienced a hoarse voice, you know how frustrating and limiting it can be. Fortunately, speech therapy can offer a solution to this common issue. At Blue Ridge Speech and Voice, we specialize in helping adults regain their vocal clarity and confidence. Read on to learn how speech therapy can effectively address hoarseness and restore your voice to its full potential. Understanding Hoarseness:

Aging is just not about losing youth - it’s a natural part of life that ushers in a new stage of opportunity and strength. Speech therapy for aging adults can help expand on that strength. As we get older, we may start to experience difficulties with communication, including speech, language, and cognitive retention. Speech therapy for older adults can help retain and improve communication and cognitive function. What communicative challenges can older adults face? Speech Art

Discover the transformative power of music in treating aphasia with Blue Ridge Speech and Voice. Blue Ridge Speech and Voice offers dedicated speech therapy for adults. Our speech language pathologists are passionate about helping stroke survivors and individuals with aphasia regain their ability to communicate. Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) is an innovative and effective approach that can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by aphasia. What is Aph

From speaking to reading and writing, we communicate and express ourselves everyday. The nuanced connection between speech therapy and mental health comes from understanding language and cognition through emotional resilience. In strengthening or modifying your speech and voice skills, speech therapy can aid your overall mental wellness. Let’s take a look at five ways speech therapy can connect and improve mental health. 1. Speech Therapy Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem A c

Speech therapy practices such as Blue Ridge Speech and Voice are dedicated to helping people regain their communication abilities and improve their quality of life. In speech therapy, you’ll work on different vocal exercises catered to meet your goals. What you work on during a consultation corresponds with what you specifically seek to improve. Brush up on what to know before meeting with a speech language pathologist. Whether you are a stroke survivor or seeking voice modif

It’s important to know about speech language pathologists and what they can help improve. Furthermore, it’s important to know about the environment you’re stepping into as you embark on your speech therapy journey. Let’s explore the fundamentals of what to know before meeting with a speech language pathologist. What is a speech language pathologist? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or ASHA, describes speech language pathologists as “experts in communication.”