LAX VOX VOICE THERAPY TECHNIQUE

Marketta Sihvo, Ilter Denizoglu

The aim of voice therapy is to help the patient to obtain flow phonation and a resonant voice, or the best possible voice within the patient's anatomic and physiologic capabilities. Among numerous methods, Sihvo's Lax Vox Method (LV) with the combination of a silicone tube and water resistance works as an easy tool for healing the voice production apparatus and improving its function.
The procedure automatically balances the functions included in voice production. It also gives biofeedback and creates holistic cognition of the vocalizing process. The main mechanism of the LV technique is the altering of the vocal tract inertance due to positive supraglottal pressure in front of the voice source and artificial elongation of the vocal tract. The 'domino effect' goes with lowering the larynx and proper abdominodiaphragmatic respiration.
The LV technique suits all speakers and singers desiring to learn vocal ergonomics and voice care. It is a useful therapy for various functional and organic voice disorders such as muscle tension dysphonia, vocal fold nodules, habitual and psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia, unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and presbyphonia. It is also an effective method for pre- and post-operative voice therapy.
The aim of this workshop is to perform live practice with the participants after the theoretical explanations so that they can experience the effects of this easy tool, and use it to trigger the healing process in any voice patient or voice trainer.

Ilter Denizoglu,MD
Director of Voice Clinic
AlsancakState HospitalENT Dept.
IzmirTurkey
E mail: iilterdenizoglu@yahoo.com
Telephone-fax: 0090 232 4645577 Mobile phone : 0090 542 4140231

Marketta Sihvo, PhD
Speech Pathologist
Phoniatric Department of Tampere University Hospital
Tampere, Finland
E mail: marketta.sihvo@pshp.fi