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

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.”

One glaring issue with healthcare in our country is the lack of affordable options and the lack of accessibility that impact so many Americans. Blue Ridge Speech and Voice is helping the community by providing cutting edge speech therapy via mobile services and online Telepractice, and by accepting some of the major insurances offered in North Carolina. Many of my clients have disabilities and therefore have difficulty leaving their home for outpatient speech therapy. Many ar

COVID-19 currently has nations on lockdown and people doing their best to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of the disease. However, the pandemic doesn't stop people from needing services, including those for speech and voice. If you find yourself wanting services at this time, you should know that evaluation and treatment are still feasible. I offer Telepractice/Telehealth services which allow you to work on your goals from your computer, without risking socia

Some call it Telepractice, while others say Telehealth or Telemedicine. Any way you say it, it's the future of healthcare! Telepractice is the application of telecommunications technology to the delivery of professional services at a distance by linking a clinician to a client online. Specialty providers tend to be located in larger cities, leaving many rural areas of out luck when searching for a specialty provider. With Telepractice, someone in a remote area can connect on