Vocal Fold Paralysis Therapy in Perth

What is Vocal Fold Paralysis?

Vocal fold paralysis (often called vocal cord paralysis) occurs when one or both vocal folds don’t move normally. This can affect:

• Voice: hoarseness, breathiness, reduced volume, vocal fatigue

• Breathing: particularly if both vocal folds are affected

• Swallowing: coughing/choking, increased aspiration risk

Vocal fold paralysis is typically related to changes in the nerve supply to the larynx (voice box).

Important: Diagnosis and medical work-up are usually led by an ENT/laryngologist using laryngoscopy to view vocal fold movement.

At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, our speech pathologists provide voice and swallowing therapy to help people with vocal fold paralysis optimise communication and reduce effort—often alongside ENT management.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Review

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Noisy breathing (stridor)

• Significant shortness of breath

• Rapidly worsening breathing symptoms

• Signs of aspiration, such as frequent choking or recurrent chest infections
  
  

Common Causes of Vocal Fold Paralysis

Vocal fold paralysis may occur due to:

• Post-surgical nerve injury (e.g., thyroid, neck, chest, cardiac, or spine-related surgeries)

• Tumours or masses affecting the nerve pathway (neck/chest/thyroid)

• Trauma to the neck or chest

• Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke or other neurological disease—depending on the individual)

• Inflammatory or post-viral neuropathy (sometimes following viral illness)

• Idiopathic (no clear cause identified after investigation)
  
  

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on whether one or both vocal folds are affected. Common symptoms include:

• Hoarse, breathy, weak, or rough voice

• Reduced ability to project voice / reduced loudness

• Vocal fatigue or increased effort when talking

• Shortness of breath (more likely with bilateral involvement)

• Coughing or choking during eating/drinking

• Throat clearing or sensation of food “going the wrong way”

• Noisy breathing (stridor) in some cases
  
  

How Speech Pathology Can Help

Speech pathology does not typically restore nerve movement, but it can help you optimise voice function, improve communication, and support swallowing safety. Therapy may include:

Voice Therapy (Optimising Voice Quality)

• Techniques to improve vocal efficiency and reduce strain

• Strategies to support stronger, clearer voice output using safe voicing patterns

• Pacing and voice-use planning to reduce fatigue
  
  

Breath Support and Coordination

• Coordinating breath and voicing to reduce breathiness and improve endurance

• Practical strategies for speaking in noise or during fatigue
  
  

Swallowing Support (When Needed)

If swallowing is affected, speech pathology may include:

• Swallow assessment and safety strategies

• Mealtime modifications and compensatory techniques where appropriate

• Coordination with your medical team for further assessment (e.g., VFSS/FEES) if needed
  
  

Voice Care Education

• Vocal hygiene and voice-load management

• Strategies to prevent secondary strain and tension patterns
  
  

How Therapy Fits With Medical Treatment

ENT management may include observation, injection procedures, surgical options, and/or medical investigation to identify the cause. Speech pathology commonly works alongside ENT care to:

• Support function while healing/recovery progresses

• Optimise voice use before/after medical procedures

• Provide practical strategies for day-to-day communication and swallowing
  
  

Benefits of Early Support

Early assessment and therapy can help:

• Improve functional communication sooner

• Reduce compensatory strain patterns

• Improve vocal endurance and confidence

• Support swallowing safety where relevant

Speech Therapy Services in Perth for Children & Adults

Speech Therapy (also called Speech Pathology) focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing difficulties. At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, our speech pathologists support children, teens, and adults to improve speech clarity, language skills, social communication, voice and fluency and swallowing safety.

How Can Speech Therapy Help You?

Speech therapy can help with a wide range of concerns, including:

• Speech delays in children: Supporting speech sound development, clarity, and age-appropriate communication.

• Speech sound disorders: Including articulation (sound production) and phonological (sound patterns) difficulties.

•  Language disorders: Helping with both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (using words and sentences).

• Swallowing and feeding difficulties (dysphagia): Supporting people who have difficulty swallowing safely due to conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions.

• Social communication differences: Supporting conversational skills, turn-taking, perspective-taking, and understanding non-verbal communication.

•  Stuttering and fluency disorders: Helping clients manage fluency, reduce effort/tension, and build confidence in communication.

Speech Therapy Services We Provide

Paediatric Speech Therapy

• Paediatric speech therapy supports children with speech, language, communication, and early literacy needs using evidence-based and child-friendly approaches. Sessions may be play-based (especially for younger children), while still being structured and goal-directed.

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Speech sound development (clarity and intelligibility)

  2. Language delays and developmental language disorder

  3. Social communication support

  4. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) where appropriate

  5. Early literacy foundations (e.g., phonological awareness)

Adult Speech Therapy

• Adult speech therapy supports adults with communication and swallowing needs related to neurological conditions, injury, medical events, or age-related changes. Therapy is practical, functional, and designed around everyday participation (home, work, community).

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Communication changes after stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or neurological illness

  2. Dysarthria and motor speech changes

  3. Cognitive-communication difficulties (attention, memory, organisation impacting communication)

  4. Voice therapy where indicated

  5. Dysphagia support and mealtime strategies

NDIS Speech Therapy Services

• NDIS speech therapy is available for self-managed and plan-managed participants. Therapy may focus on functional communication goals, speech clarity, social interaction and participation, and AAC support where required. We collaborate with participants, families, support coordinators, schools, and relevant providers to support practical, meaningful outcomes.

Speech Therapy for Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

• Dysphagia (swallowing) support helps when swallowing difficulties affect hydration, nutrition, safety and confidence with eating and drinking. Our speech pathologists can complete clinical assessments (as appropriate), provide strategies for safer swallowing, recommend targeted exercises when indicated, and support shared-care referral pathways with GPs/ENT/medical teams when needed.

• Why Choose Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health for Speech Therapy?

• Experienced Speech Pathologists: Skilled in paediatric and adult communication and swallowing support.

• NDIS Provider (self- and plan-managed): Therapy is aligned to participant goals and everyday function.

• Family-Centred Approach: We involve parents, carers, and supports where appropriate so strategies carry over into real life.

• Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Care: We work alongside our broader allied health team when integrated support is beneficial.

Sensory Room and Kids Therapy Gym

• Our sensory room and kids therapy gym can support therapy goals through a motivating, functional environment—particularly helpful for children who benefit from movement-based learning and sensory regulation strategies. These spaces may be used when clinically relevant to support engagement, attention, participation, and goal progress.

Locations

• We offer speech pathology services in Perth, including our Malaga and Noranda clinics.

Australian Resources for Vocal Cord Paralysis

For additional information on vocal cord paralysis and related therapies, here are some valuable Australian resources:

• Better Health Channel – Provides information on vocal cord paralysis and other voice disorders.
  www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

• Speech Pathology Australia – Find resources and certified speech pathologists for voice disorders in Australia.
  www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

• Healthdirect Australia – Offers trusted information on vocal cord paralysis and other health conditions.
  www.healthdirect.gov.au

• The Australian Voice Association – Provides education, support, and resources for individuals with voice disorders.
  www.australianvoiceassociation.com.au

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.