Communication, verbal or non-verbal, is a part of our everyday life. Communication Disorders involve a wide variety of problems in speech, language, and hearing. For example, speech and language disorders include stuttering, aphasia, voice disorders (hoarseness, breathiness, or sudden breaks in loudness or pitch), phonological disorders, etc. The vocal folds play a significant part in speech, swallowing, and breathing. Vocal Fold paralysis occurs when one or both of the vocal folds do not open properly. The paralysis can occur at any age, in male or female and in any race from a variety of causes. Vocal fold paralysis can result from injury, tumors, surgery, viral infection, lung or thyroid cancer, exposure to smoking, tumors, etc. There are three common surgical procedures that can be used for treatment: medialization thyroplasty, arytenoids adduction, and vocal fold injection. The three most important learning objective include: the importance of your vocal fold, understanding what vocal fold paralysis is, and what treatments are available. Learning to deal and cope with the dysfunction of your vocal folds can be a struggle but with the right treatment, dedication, and being knowledgeable about the paralysis you can overcome the obstacle. Vocal fold paralysis can be frustrating and sometimes debilitating, especially since your voice is so important to your personality. Regardless if you are born with a communication disorder or develop it sometime during your life, it is of essence that you seek treatment.
