The voice is produced by the interplay between 3 components: breathing, vocal fold vibration and resonance. Air moves from the lungs which helps the vocal folds vibrate and make sound. This sound is then sculpted by the vocal tract (throat, mouth and nasal passages) to create our desired resonant sound quality.

A voice disorder can be caused by a breakdown of a singular component or combination of the above 3 components.

Symptoms of a voice disorder can include:

• • Hoarseness
  • Roughness
  • Breathiness
  • Consistent voice loss
  • Strained voice
  • Weak voice
  • Vocal fatigue
  • Throat pain when speaking
  • Loss of vocal range
  • Pitch instability
  • Chronic cough/throat clearing

Possible causes of the adjacent symptoms, may include:

• Vocal nodules, polyps or cysts
• Vocal fold haemorrhage
• Muscle Tension Dysphonia
• Spasmodic dysphonia
• Vocal fold paralysis
• Laryngitis
• Reflux
• Parkinson’s disease and other
• Neurologic disorders
• Laryngeal cancer
• Difficulty breathing

Alongside voice therapy at VocaLab, an evaluation of your vocal folds by an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat specialist) or Laryngologist is highly encouraged for a professional voice user. This documents the functioning of your vocal folds, investigates potential issues and provides VocaLab with a diagnosis of your voice, which helps guide your VocaLab treatment plan. An ENT evaluation can be organised through your GP.

No, you do not need a referral to book with us, however, there are two significant reasons we recommend patients seek out an appointment with their GP prior to seeing us:

1. To get a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT):

VocaLab highly recommends that patients are seen by or are booked in to see an (ENT) or Laryngologist prior to their initial consultation with VocaLab. An ENT can provide us with visual imaging of your vocal folds and a diagnosis of your voice condition, which will guide us to a more accurate treatment plan.
However, this is not a requirement to book an appointment for voice therapy with VocaLab.

2. Financial Help - to access a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP):

The Medicare GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, (previously called the Enhance Primary Care plan) offers rebates for up to five speech therapy sessions annually. Each session has a rebate of $61.80.

• How to Access GPCCMP: Schedule a consultation with your GP to obtain a GPCCMP plan, which must be sent to VocaLab before your rebate can be applied.
  However, please note: you cannot use both your private health and an GPCCMP in the same appointment.

No, it’s not a requirement to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or Laryngologist before your first appointment with us. However, we strongly recommend that you are either already booked in with an ENT or planning to see one soon. Having a visual assessment of your vocal folds is an important part of accurately diagnosing and managing voice conditions.

How to see an ENT:

1. Visit your GP and request a referral to an ENT or Laryngologist in your area.

2. Once you have the referral, call the ENT clinic to book the next available appointment.

Wait times for ENT appointments typically range from 1 to 6 months.

If you're concerned about the wait, booking with a VocaLab Speech Pathologist can help guide your care in the meantime and may support triaging with the ENT if needed.

The goal of voice therapy is to improve your voice to meet your vocal needs through guided changes in vocal behaviours and lifestyle changes.

Voice therapy is a partnership between you, your GP, Laryngologist, and your Speech Pathologist. It consists of a variety of tasks designed to reduce or eliminate harmful vocal behaviours, shape sustainable vocal behaviours, and assist in vocal fold wound healing after surgery or injury.

Voice therapy generally consists of one to two therapy sessions per week for 4–12 weeks across 2-3 months.

This said, the duration of voice therapy is primarily determined by the following factors:

• The origin of the voice disorder (eg. from vocal overuse vs reflux)
• The severity of the problem
• Any co-occurring medical therapies
• most importantly, patient commitment to the practice and generalisation of new vocal behaviours outside the therapy session.

Attending your therapy sessions, completing your home assignments, and taking control of your vocal environment is important to achieving the best outcomes. Your commitment to home practice will make a difference in how fast you complete therapy and how successful your therapy outcomes are. We understand that life is busy, so we work with you to schedule sessions as conveniently as possible with your other life commitments.

VocaLab 2026 Speech Pathology service fees:

• Initial Assessment (1 hour): $270
• Standard Ongoing Session (30 - 45mins) $195
• Long Ongoing Session (1 hour) $245

Accessibility to Voice Therapy:

• Need Financial Help? Under the GP Chronic Condition Management Plans - GPCCMPs, (previously the Enhance Primary Care plan) - Medicare offers rebates for up to five speech therapy sessions annually. Each session has a rebate of $61.80.
• How to Access GPCCMP: Schedule a consultation with your GP to obtain a GPCCMP plan, which must be sent to VocaLab before your rebate can be applied.
• No GPCCMP Needed? For gender-affirming voice training sessions at VocaLab, you can also book directly without a GPCCMP plan.
• Can I Use Private Health?: Yes you can! However, you cannot use both your private health and an GPCCMP in the same appointment.

No, they do not. If you are looking for voice therapy services with a Speech Pathologist, be sure to ask if they have recent training and experience in the area of voice.

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), work across a wide range of specialisations to address different communication and swallowing disorders. Some SLPs work as generalist SLPs and cover many of these areas, others specialise in only 1 or 2 areas.

Here are the main areas of practice for speech pathologists:

1. Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Addressing difficulties in producing speech sounds correctly and fluently.
2. Fluency Disorders: Including stuttering and cluttering, which affect the flow and rhythm of speech.
3. Voice Disorders: Involving problems with pitch, volume, or quality of the voice.
4. Language Disorders: Encompassing issues with understanding and producing language, both spoken and written.
5. Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Related to difficulties with thinking skills, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functions.
6. Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Addressing difficulties in swallowing safely and effectively.
7. Motor Speech Disorders: Including apraxia and dysarthria, which affect the motor planning and execution of speech.
8. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Providing tools and strategies to assist individuals who cannot communicate effectively through speech alone.
9. Social Communication Disorders: Focusing on pragmatic language skills, which involve the use of language in social contexts.
10. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Providing support for individuals with autism to improve communication and social interaction skills.
11. Hearing Impairment: Working with individuals with hearing loss to develop communication skills.

Speech Therapy is a term that encompasses a variety of therapies, including voice therapy. Most insurance companies refer to voice therapy as ‘speech therapy’ but they are the same service, if provided by a Speech Pathologist.

Individuals facing vocal challenges. Whether you’re a professional whose career depends on vocal reliability, or you’ve recently observed changes in your voice or you are looking to strengthen your voice, VocaLab is equipped to assist.

Our services are beneficial for:

• Individuals Experiencing Vocal Strain: If you find that producing voice requires extra effort, leading to difficulty in vocal production.
• Vocal Fatigue: For those who experience weariness in their voice, persistently or after prolonged use.
• Communication Challenges in Noisy Environments: Assistance for people who struggle to speak in noisy environments, which may lead to social withdrawal.
• Vocal Fold Abnormalities: Support for individuals with diagnosed growths on the vocal cords, including nodules, cysts, or polyps.
• Educators/Lecturers with Vocal Concerns: Addressing issues faced by teachers, such as poor vocal quality, inability to project voice, sore throat, and long-term voice deterioration.
• Thyroid-Related Vocal Changes: For those experiencing vocal changes associated with thyroid issues, pre or post-surgery.
• Hormone-Related Voice Changes: For those experiencing changes in their voice across perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
• Trans and Gender Diverse Individuals: Voice training for people looking to develop a voice that aligns with their gender identity.
• Pitch Variability: Assistance for individuals with fluctuations in vocal pitch or reduced pitch range.
• Reflux-Induced Throat Issues: Managing symptoms like altered voice, throat lump sensation, constant throat clearing, and excess mucous.
• Weak or Breathy Voice: Addressing a faint, airy voice quality that affects audibility, especially noticeable in conversations or on phone calls.
• Chronic Cough and Related Disorders: Offering solutions for persistent cough, cough hypersensitivity, VCD, or LSN, encompassing voice and breathing difficulties.
• Neurodegenerative Disease-Related Issues: Providing therapy for voice or speech problems stemming from conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, or MND/ALS.
• Performing Artists: Tailored support for actors, singers, and others in the performing arts facing challenges with voice projection, quality maintenance, or pitch range limitations.
• Professional Voice Users – Lawyers, Radio Presenters, Fitness Instructors: Offering comprehensive, sustainable vocal training for those whose careers heavily rely on their vocal capabilities.

Below is a link to download a PDF list of Portable Amplifiers.

Look them up and see what works best for you!

DOWNLOAD VOICE AMPLIFIERS LIST HERE