Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Evaluation/Treatment of Hoarseness:
Effect on Speech Language Pathologist
Presented to:
American Speech‐Language‐Hearing Association Annual
Convention
New Orleans, Louisiana
November 19, 2009
Edie Hapner, Ph.D. Joe Stemple, Ph.D.
Emory Voice Center University of Kentucky
Why practice guidelines?
• The Institute of Medicine (health arm of the
National Academy of Sciences) suggested
tasks for development of a highly effective
national health‐care service:
– Develop health priorities
– Review evidence (EBM)
– Develop recommendations (practice
guidelines)
Foundations of Practice Guidelines
• quality‐driven
• evidence‐based
• efficient and transparent methodology
• action‐ready recommendations
• multidisciplinary applicability
AAO‐HNS and Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Rosenfeld, et al., (2004) Clinical practice guideline: otitis media with
effusion. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. May;130(5 Suppl):S95‐118.
• Rosenfeld, et al., (2006) Clinical practice guideline: acute otitis externa.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Apr;134(4 Suppl):S4‐23.
• Rosenfeld, et al. (2007) Clinical practice guideline: adult sinusitis.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Sep;137(3 Suppl):S1‐31.
• Roland, et al. (2008) Clinical practice guideline: cerumen impaction.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Sep;139(3 Suppl 2):S1‐S21.
• Bhattacharyya et al. (2008) Clinical practice guideline: benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Nov;139(5 Suppl 4):S47‐
81.
Clinical Practice Guideline:
Hoarseness (Dysphonia)
• OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence‐based
recommendations on managing hoarseness
(dysphonia)
• Definition: a disorder characterized by altered
vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort
that impairs communication or reduces voice‐
related quality of life (QOL)
Purpose and Population
• To improve the quality of care for patients
with hoarseness based on current best
evidence
• Applies to all age groups evaluated in a setting
where hoarseness would be identified or
managed
• Intended for all clinicians who are likely to
diagnose and manage patients with
hoarseness
Why the Term Hoarseness?
• The terms hoarseness and dysphonia are often used
interchangeably, although hoarseness is a symptom
of altered voice quality and dysphonia is a diagnosis.
– Dysphonia may be broadly defined as an alteration in the
production of voice that impairs social and professional
communication
– Hoarseness is a coarse or rough quality to the voice
• Although the two terms are not synonymous, the
guideline working group decided to use the term
hoarseness for this guideline because it is more
recognized and understood by patients, most
clinicians, and the lay press
Definitions
● Hoarseness (dysphonia): a disorder characterized by
– altered vocal quality
– pitch
– loudness
– vocal effort
that impairs communication or reduces voice‐
related QOL
● Impaired communication: a decreased or limited
ability to interact vocally with others
● Reduced voice‐related QOL: a self‐perceived
decrement in physical, emotional, social, or
economic status as a result of voice‐related
dysfunction.
The guideline is intended for…
• all clinicians who are likely to diagnose and
manage patients with hoarseness
• applies to any setting in which hoarseness would
be identified, monitored, treated, or managed
• Guideline does not apply to patients with
hoarseness with the following conditions:
– history of laryngectomy (total or partial)
– craniofacial anomalies
– velopharyngeal insufficiency
– dysarthria
Process of Guideline Development
• Developed by an “ explicit and a priori”
protocol (Rosenfeld and Shiffman, 2006 and 2009)
– A. Systematic review completed by AAOHNS (6032
articles)
– B. Development of multidisciplinary and
multispecialty committee of 24 members
– C. Committee agenda
• Three‐2 hour conference calls over 9 months
• Two face to face meetings at AAOHNS
• Committee within the committee to work on action
statements
*Rosenfeld et al. (2009); Rosenfeld et al.
(2006)
Composition of the Committee
• Multispecialty
• Chair:
Otolaryngologists
Otolaryngologist
• Neurologist
• Two co‐Chairs: • Pulmonologist
Laryngologists • Pediatrician
• Oversight Member: • Geriatrician
Otolaryngologist • Family Medicine
• Ex‐Officio: AAOHNS • Speech Language
staffer Pathologists (2)
• Voice Teacher
• Consumer Advocate
Development and Review
• Committee developed action statements and
recommendations based on best available
evidence
• The Guideline was then sent to:
– A committee of Otolaryngologists for review
–15 SLP’s recommended by Division 3 to
review the document and make
comments
– The chairs of the Guidelines committee responded
to comments and made revisions as they saw fit
Some of the comments and
concerns:
• “ I think that it is important that the academy
not perpetuate an inappropriate, colloquial
use of the word hoarseness when we are
talking about dysphonia.”
• “ The only limiting aspect of this guideline is
the lack of evidence on which it is based.”
• “ No mention of performance measures that
could be used to monitor effectiveness of the
guideline after it is implemented.”
More concerns:
• “ Difficult for me to believe that laryngoscopy
does not carry a strong recommendation. How
am I to refer to a Speech Pathologist without it?”
• “ The 3 month time period prior to evaluation by
laryngoscopy for individuals who have dysphonia
is excessively long and puts the general public at
great risk.”
• “ The statement on PPI is grossly too simplistic
and will sent the field of Otolaryngology back 20
Year. “
Disclaimer
• The SLP’s were invited guests of the
AAOHNS
• Concerns of the Otolaryngology
community
1. “Dog in the fight”
2. JAMA article
• What MOST effects the Speech
Language Pathologists
– Statements: 3a, 3b, 8a, 8b, 10, 11
Composition of the Guidelines
• Eleven “ actionable statements” with
recommendations that are supported by
evidence and a balance of benefit and harm
– Actionable statements
• Modifying factors for the statements
• Evidence profile and ratings of evidence
• Recommendation
• Benefit and harm statements
• Role of patient preference
• Value judgment
• Intentional vagueness
Evidence Quality for Grades of Evidence
Grade Evidence quality
• The purpose of this statement is to promote
awareness of hoarseness (dysphonia) by all
clinicians as a condition that may require
intervention or additional investigation
– patients with minimal objective voice change and
significant complaints
– patients with limited complaints but with objective
alterations of voice quality
Altered Voice Quality
• Because dysphonia may characterize a
multitude of perceptual symptoms, listening
to the voice (perceptual evaluation) in a
critical and objective manner may provide
important diagnostic information
Impaired Communication
• Difficulty being heard and understood while
using the telephone
• Trouble being heard in groups
• Problems being understood
• Decreased socialization
• Impaired work‐related function
Decreased Voice‐related Quality of Life
• Decrement in physical, social, and emotional
aspects of global QOL
• Hoarseness QOL decrements similar to those
associated with other chronic diseases
– congestive heart failure
– chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Proxies
• Clinicians should consider proxy input for:
– children
– those with cognitive impairment
– those who delay treatment
– those with emotional burden
Detailed Medical History
• May inform clinician regarding the cause of
the hoarseness
• Table 5: Pertinent medical history for
assessing a patient with hoarseness
– Voice‐specific questions
– Symptoms
– Medical history relevant to hoarseness
– Acute conditions
– Chronic conditions
Evidence profile for Statement 1: Diagnosis
• Aggregate evidence quality: Grade C, observational
studies for symptoms with one systematic review of
QOL in voice disorders and two systematic reviews on
medication side effects
• Benefit: Identify patients who may benefit from
treatment or from further investigation to identify
underlying conditions that may be serious, promote
prompt recognition and treatment, and discourage the
perception of hoarseness as a trivial condition that
does not warrant attention
Evidence profile for Statement 1: Diagnosis
cont…
●Harm: Potential anxiety related to diagnosis
● Cost: Time expended in diagnosis, documentation, and
discussion
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Preponderance of benefits
over harm
● Value judgments: None
● Role of patient preference: Limited
● Intentional vagueness: None
● Exclusions: None
● Policy Level: Recommendation
STATEMENT 2. Diagnosis: MODIFYING FACTORS
Clinicians should assess the patient with hoarseness by history
and/or physical examination for factors that modify
management.
• modifying factors are details elicited by history taking or physical
examination that provide a clue to the presence of an important
underlying etiology of hoarseness (dysphonia) that may lead to a change
in management such as:
– recent surgical procedures involving the neck or affecting the recurrent
laryngeal nerve
– recent endotracheal intubation
– radiation treatment to the neck
– history of tobacco abuse
– occupation as a singer or vocal performer
• Recommendation based on observational studies with a
preponderance of benefit over harm
Examples of Modifying Factors
• Anterior approach to cervical spine surgery
• Thyroid surgery
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Cardiac surgery
• Esophageal cancer
• Prolonged endotracheal intubation
• Short term intubation both adults and neonates
• Older adults (normal aging and suspected neurological
disorders/diseases)
• Young children (misuse, craniofacial anomalies, congenital
disorders, syndromes)
• Tobacco smokers
• Those who use inhaled corticosteroids
• Singers and other vocal performers (teachers, clergy etc.)
Evidence profile for Statement 2: Modifying
Factors
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade C, observational
studies
● Benefit: To identify factors early in the course of
management that could influence the timing of diagnostic
procedures, choice of interventions, or provision of follow‐up
care
● Harm: None
● Cost: None
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Preponderance of benefit
over harm
Evidence profile for Statement 2: Modifying
Factors cont…
● Value judgments: Importance of history taking
and identifying modifying factors as an
essential component of providing quality care
● Role of patient preferences: Limited or none
● Intentional vagueness: None
● Exclusions: None
● Policy level: Recommendation
STATEMENT 3A and 3B. LARYNGOSCOPY
3A: Laryngoscopy and Hoarseness: Clinicians may perform, or
may refer the patient to a clinician who can visualize the larynx,
at anytime in a patient with hoarseness. OPTION based on
observational studies, expert opinion, and a balance of benefit
and harm.
3B: Indications for Laryngoscopy: Clinicians should visualize the
patient’s larynx or refer the patient to a clinician who can
visualize the larynx when hoarseness fails to resolve by a
maximum of three months after onset, or irrespective of
duration if a serious underlying cause is suspected.
RECOMMENDATION based on observational studies, expert
opinion, and preponderance of benefit over harm.
3A: Evidence Profile
Laryngoscopy and Hoarseness
–Grade C: based on observational studies
–Benefit: Visualization of the larynx to improve diagnostic
accuracy and allow comprehensive evaluation
–Harm: Risk of laryngoscopy, patient discomfort
–Cost: Procedural costs
–Benefit‐Harm Assessment: Balance of benefit and harm
–Value Judgment: Laryngoscopy is an important tool for
evaluating voice complaints and may be performed at anytime in
a patient with hoarseness
–Role of patient preference: Substantial. The level of
patient concern should be considered
–Policy level: Option
3B: Evidence Profile
Indications for Laryngoscopy
• Grade C: Observational studies and expert opinion
• Benefit: Avoid missed or delayed diagnosis of serious
conditions in patients without additional signs or symptoms
suggestive of serious disease.
• Harm: Potential delay of up to 3 months delay in diagnosis.
Procedure related morbidity.
• Cost: Procedural costs
• Benefit‐Harm Ratio: Preponderance of benefit over harm
• Role of patient preference: Limited
3B Evidence Statement
• Value Judgment: Need to balance timely
diagnostic intervention with the potential for over‐
utilization and excessive cost. The guideline panel
debated on the maximum duration of hoarseness
prior to mandated evaluation and opted to select a
safety net approach with a generous time allowance
but with the option to proceed promptly based on
clinical circumstances‐modifying factors
• Policy Level: Recommendation
Conditions leading to suspicion of a serious
underlying cause: Modifying Factors
(should be imaged sooner than 3 months)
• Hx of tobaco or alcohol use
• Neck mass
• Post trauma
• Associated odynophagia, dysphagia, otalgia, airway
compromise, hemoptysis
• Unexplained weight loss
• Worsening
• Immunocompromised host
• Neonate
• Post operative
• Foreign body ingestion
STATEMENT 4. IMAGING
• The clinician should not obtain a CT or MRI in
a patient with the primary complaint of
hoarseness prior to imaging the larynx.
• Intent: The purpose of this statement is not to
discourage the use of imaging but rather to
emphasize that it should be used as
supportive and advanced testing after
laryngeal imaging.
Statement 4: Evidence Profile
• Grade C: Observational studies about adverse effects of CT
and MRI. No studies found on the benefit of imaging prior to
imaging.
• Benefit: Avoid unnecessary testing. Minimize cost and
adverse effects.
• Harm: Potential for delayed diagnosis.
• Cost: None
• Value Judgment: Avoidance of unnecessary testing.
• Policy Level: Recommendation Against
STATEMENT 5A. ANTI‐REFLUX
MEDICATION AND HOARSENESS
• Clinicians should not prescribe anti‐reflux
medications for patients with hoarseness
without signs or symptoms of
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Recommendation against prescribing
– based on randomized trials with limitations and
observational studies with a preponderance of
harm over benefit
STATEMENT 5B. ANTI‐REFLUX
MEDICATION AND CHRONIC LARYNGITIS
• Clinicians may prescribe anti‐reflux medication
for patients with hoarseness and signs of
chronic laryngitis
• Option
– based on observational studies with limitations
and a relative balance of benefit and harm
Intent and Purpose
• To limit widespread use of anti‐reflux medications as
empiric therapy for hoarseness without symptoms of
GERD or laryngeal findings consistent with laryngitis
• Not to limit use of anti‐reflux medications in managing
laryngeal inflammation, when inflammation is seen on
laryngoscopy (laryngitis denoted by erythema, edema,
redundant tissue, and/or surface irregularities of the
interarytenoid mucosa, arytenoid mucosa, posterior
laryngeal mucosa, and/or vocal folds)
Summary
• Statement A, a recommendation against
(reflux medication used) empiric therapy for
hoarseness
• Statement B, an option to use anti‐reflux
therapy in managing properly diagnosed
reflux laryngitis
Anti‐Reflux Medications and the Empiric
Treatment of Hoarseness
• The benefit of anti‐reflux treatment for
hoarseness in patients without symptoms of
esophageal reflux (heartburn and regurgitation)
or evidence for esophagitis is unclear.
– hoarseness not separated from other symptoms as an
outcome
– included patients with one of many possible laryngeal
symptoms
– excluded patients with heartburn
– in patients with hoarseness and a diagnosis of GERD,
anti‐reflux treatment is more likely to reduce
hoarseness
Risks of PPIs and H2RAs
• Generally safe for therapy shorter than two
months
• Prolonged therapy greater than three months
associated with risk:
– impaired cognition in older adults
– risk of bacterial gastroenteritis
– community‐acquired pneumonia
– Interference with calcium absorption and bone
homeostasis
– increased risk for hip fractures in older adults
– increased risk of pancreatitis
Anti‐Reflux Medications and Treatment of
Chronic Laryngitis
• Laryngoscopy is helpful in determining whether anti‐
reflux treatment should be considered in managing a
patient with hoarseness
• Various studies have demonstrated improvement in
the usually reported signs and symptoms of LPR
• However, other studies are contradictory
• Further research exploring the sensitivity, specificity,
and reliability of laryngoscopic examination findings is
necessary to determine which signs are associated with
treatment response with respect to hoarseness
Evidence profile for Statement 5A: Anti‐
reflux Medications and Hoarseness
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade B, randomized trials with
limitations showing lack of benefits for anti‐reflux therapy in
patients with laryngeal symptoms, including hoarseness;
observational studies with inconsistent or inconclusive results;
inconclusive evidence regarding the prevalence of hoarseness
as the only manifestation of reflux disease
● Benefit: Avoid adverse events from unproven therapy; reduce
cost; limit unnecessary treatment
● Harm: Potential withholding of therapy from patients who may
benefit
● Cost: None
Evidence profile for Statement 5A: Anti‐
reflux Medications and Hoarseness cont…
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Preponderance of benefit over
harm
● Value judgments: Acknowledgment by the working group of
the controversy surrounding laryngopharyngeal reflux, and
the need for further research before definitive conclusions
can be drawn; desire to avoid known adverse events from
anti‐reflux therapy
● Intentional vagueness: None
● Patient preference: Limited
● Exclusions: Patients immediately before or after laryngeal
surgery and patients with other diagnosed pathology of the
larynx
● Policy level: Recommendation against
Evidence profile for Statement 5B: Anti‐
reflux Medication and Chronic Laryngitis
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade C, observational
studies with limitations showing benefit with laryngeal
symptoms, including hoarseness, and observational
studies with limitations showing improvement in signs
of laryngeal inflammation
● Benefit: Improved outcomes, promote resolution of
laryngitis
● Harm: Adverse events related to anti‐reflux
medications
● Cost: Direct cost of medications
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Relative balance of benefit
and harm
Evidence profile for Statement 5B: Anti‐reflux
Medication and Chronic Laryngitis cont…
● Value judgments: Although the topic is controversial,
the working group acknowledges the potential role of
antireflux therapy in patients with signs of chronic
laryngitis and recognizes that these patients may differ
from those with an empiric diagnosis of hoarseness
(dysphonia) without laryngeal examination
● Patient preference: Substantial role for shared decision
making
● Intentional vagueness: None
● Exclusions: None
● Policy level: Option
STATEMENT 6. CORTICOSTEROID
THERAPY:
• Clinicians should not routinely prescribe oral
corticosteroids to treat hoarseness.
Recommendation against prescribing based
on randomized trials showing adverse events
and absence of clinical trials demonstrating
benefits with a preponderance of harm over
benefit for steroid use
Summary
• Oral steroids are commonly prescribed for
hoarseness and acute laryngitis, despite an
overwhelming lack of supporting data of
efficacy
• Systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL,
EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library revealed
no studies supporting the use of
corticosteroids as empiric therapy for
hoarseness except…
Summary cont…
• quick relief from allergic laryngitis for performers
– In patients acutely dependent on their voice, the
balance of benefit and harm may be shifted
• recurrent croup with associated laryngitis in
pediatric patients
• allergic laryngitis
• some autoimmune disorders involving the larynx
such as systemic lupus, erythematosus,
sarcoidosis, and Wegener granulomatosis
Documented side effects of short‐ and long‐
term steroid therapy
• Lipodystrophy
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Osteoporosis
• Impaired wound healing
• Myopathy
• Cataracts
• Peptic ulcers
• Infection
• Mood disorder
• Ophthalmologic disorders
• Skin disorders
• Menstrual disorders
• Avascular necrosis
• Pancreatitis
• Diabetogenesis
Evidence profile for Statement 6:
Corticosteroid Therapy
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade B, randomized trials
showing increased incidence of adverse events associated
with orally administered steroids; absence of clinical trials
demonstrating any benefit of steroid treatment on
outcomes
● Benefit: Avoid potential adverse events associated with
unproven therapy
● Harm: None
● Cost: None
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Preponderance of harm over
benefit for steroid use
● Value judgments: Avoid adverse events of ineffective or
unproven therapy
Evidence profile for Statement 6:
Corticosteroid Therapy cont…
● Role of patient preferences: Some; there is a role for
shared decision making in weighing the harms of
steroids against the potential yet unproven benefit in
specific circumstances (ie, professional or avocation
voice use and acute laryngitis)
● Intentional vagueness: Use of the word “routine” to
acknowledge there may be specific situations, based
on laryngoscopy results or other associated conditions,
that may justify steroid use on an individualized basis
● Exclusions: None
● Policy level: Recommendation against
STATEMENT 7. ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY
• Clinicians should not routinely prescribe
antibiotics to treat hoarseness. Strong
recommendation against prescribing
– based on systematic reviews and randomized trials
showing ineffectiveness of antibiotic therapy and a
preponderance of harm over benefit
Summary
• Hoarseness in most patients is caused by
acute laryngitis or viral upper respiratory
infection, not bacterial infections
• Antimicrobials are only effective for bacterial
infections
• Adverse effects include rash, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, and vomiting
• Over‐prescribing antibiotics may contribute to
bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Evidence profile for Statement 7:
Antimicrobial Therapy
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade A, systematic reviews
showing no benefit for antibiotics for acute laryngitis or
upper respiratory tract infection; grade A evidence showing
potential harms of antibiotic therapy
● Benefit: Avoidance of ineffective therapy with documented
adverse events
● Harm: Potential for failing to treat bacterial, fungal, or
mycobacterial causes of hoarseness
● Cost: None
● Benefit‐harm assessment: Preponderance of harm over
benefit if antibiotics are prescribed
● Values: Importance of limiting antimicrobial therapy to
treating bacterial infections
Evidence profile for Statement 7:
Antimicrobial Therapy cont…
● Role of patient preferences: None
● Intentional vagueness: The word “routine” is
used in the boldface statement to discourage
empiric therapy yet to acknowledge there are
occasional circumstances where antibiotic use
may be appropriate
● Exclusions: Patients with hoarseness caused
by bacterial infection
● Policy level: Strong recommendation against
STATEMENT 8A. LARYNGOSCOPY
PRIOR TO VOICE THERAPY
• Clinicians should visualize the larynx
before prescribing voice therapy and
document/communicate the results to
the SLP.
• RECOMMENDATION: based on
observational studies showing benefit
and a preponderance of benefit over
harm
Background
• There is significant evidence for the usefulness of
laryngoscopy, specifically videostroboscopy, in
planning voice therapy and in documenting the
effectiveness of voice therapy in the remediation of
vocal lesions. Laryngoscopy has been used
successfully as a biofeedback tool in voice therapy. In
the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis,
laryngoscopy can help determine when voice therapy
is no longer of benefit and surgical intervention is
warranted by evaluating glottal gap size, evidence of
movement on the paralytic side, and possibility of
recovery.(Behrman, 2004)
Background
• Both the American Academy of Otolaryngology—
Head and Neck Surgery and the American Speech‐
Language‐Hearing Association have published joint
consensus statements acknowledging the use of
videostroboscopy by the SLP (ASHA 1998)
• There are published guidelines as to what
knowledge, skills, and training are necessary for the
use of videostroboscopy by the SLP (ASHA, 2004.)
• SLPs often work with otolaryngologists in the
multidisciplinary treatment of hoarseness and may
perform the laryngoscopy examination.
Evidence Profile for #8a
• Aggregate evidence quality: Grade C, observational studies of
the benefit of laryngoscopy for voice therapy
• Benefit: avoid delay in diagnosing laryngeal conditions not
treatable with voice therapy, optimize voice therapy by
allowing targeted therapy
• Harm: Delay in initiation of voice therapy
• Cost: Cost of the laryngoscopy and associated physician visit
• Benefits‐harm assessment: preponderance of benefit over
harm
• Value judgments: To ensure no delay in identifying pathology
not treatable with voice therapy. Speech language
pathologists cannot initiate therapy prior to visualization of
the larynx by a physician
• Role of patient preferences: minimal
• Policy level: Recommendation
Sapienza, C., & Ruddy, B., Language Speech and
Hearing Services in the Schools, vol. 35, pp 327‐332.
In many settings, once school‐based personnel identify a child as
having a “potential voice problem,” it is the school SLP who
often becomes the primary advocate for the child’s laryngeal
examination. The justification for persistence in this
recommendation is clear‐cut. For example, there are times when
dysphonia in a child may seem consistent with a hyperfunctional
disorder, but in fact it may be a perceptual representation of
other organic pathology (e.g., papillomatosis, submucosal cysts,
gastrointestinal or laryngeal‐pharyngeal reflux, webbing,
stenosis, paralysis). Moreover, an understanding of the primary
pathology may lead to better insight regarding the secondary
laryngeal and respiratory compensations that a child may exhibit
.
Preferred Practice Patterns in for the Profession
of Speech Language Pathology (1997 and 2005).
“ All patients/clients with voice disorders are
examined by a physician, preferably in a
discipline appropriate to the presenting
complaint. The physician's examination may
occur before or after the voice evaluation by
the speech‐language pathologist.”
http://www.asha.org/docs/html/PP2004‐00191.html#sec1.3.35
Guideline: Royal College of Speech and
Language Specialists *
Each individual must have an examination by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon prior to or
simultaneously with speech and language intervention in order to identify disease, assess
structure and contribute to the assessment of function. The Speech & Language Therapist
should also refer back for a re‐examination if there is concern regarding lack of progress or
deterioration in the individual’s progress.
Rationale
Accurate and detailed description of laryngeal structure and function is necessary to plan
effective therapy. A percentage of dysphonic individuals will present with organic disease
without associated muscle tension or psychological factors, and the ENT surgeon may
manage these without the need for speech and language therapy. Dysphonia, with
associated symptoms, can be a manifestation of a complex neurological or systemic disease
process. The ENT surgeon is trained in the identification and management, eg,
pharmacological treatment, of these disease processes.
Evidence
Professional consensus.
http://www.asha.org/members/ebp/compendium/guidelines/guideline097.htm
http://www.rcslt.org/resources/RCSLT_Clinical_Guidelines.pdf
STATEMENT 8B. ADVOCATING FOR
VOICE THERAPY
• Clinicians should advocate voice therapy
for patients diagnosed with hoarseness
that reduces voice‐related QOL.
• Strong recommendation based on
systematic reviews and randomized trials
with a preponderance of benefit over
harm.
Background
Clinicians have several choices for managing
hoarseness including observation, medical therapy,
surgical therapy, voice therapy, or a combination of
these approaches. Voice therapy, provided by a
certified speech‐language pathologist (SLP), attends
to the behavioral issues contributing to hoarseness.
Voice therapy has been demonstrated to be effective
for hoarseness across the lifespan from children to
older adults. Clinicians should advocate voice
therapy by making patients aware that this is an
effective intervention for hoarseness and providing
brochures or sources of further information
Evidence Profile
Aggregate evidence quality: Grade A, randomized
controlled trials and systematic reviews
Benefit: Improve voice-related QOL; prevent
relapse; potentially prevent need for more invasive
therapy
Harm: No harm reported in controlled trials: direct
cost of treatment
Benefits-harm assessment: Preponderance of
benefit over harm
Value judgments: Voice therapy is underutilized in
managing hoarseness despite efficacy; advocacy is
needed. JAMA 302(18). Nov. 11, 2009
Policy level: Strong recommendation
How help your physicians’ advocate?
• Educate the physician:
– Voice therapy FAQ:
• www.entnet.org/HealthInformation?hoarseness.cfm
• www.entnet.org/Practice/upload/Final‐Hoarseness‐
Guideline.pdf
• www.asha.org search voice disorders or hoarseness or
Division 3 webpage
• Educate the patient:
– Provide brochures regarding the use of voice
therapy
– www.asha.org search Voice Disorders
STATEMENT 9. SURGERY
• Clinicians should advocate for surgery as a
therapeutic option in hoarse patients with
suspected: 1) laryngeal malignancy, 2) benign
laryngeal soft tissue lesions, or 3) glottic
insufficiency.
• Recommendation based on observational
studies demonstrating a benefit of surgery in
these conditions and a preponderance of
benefit over harm.
Evidence Profile for #9
• Aggregate evidence quality: Grade B, in support of
surgery to reduce hoarseness and improve voice
quality in selected patients based on observational
studies overwhelmingly demonstrating the benefit of
surgery
• Benefit: Potential for improved voice outcomes in
carefully selected patients
• Value judgments: Surgical options for treating
hoarseness are not always recognized; selected
patients with hoarseness may benefit from newer,
less invasive technologies
• Role of patient preferences: Limited
• Policy level: Recommendation
STATEMENT 10. BOTULINUM TOXIN
• Clinicians should prescribe, or refer the
patient to a clinician who can prescribe,
botulinum toxin injections for the treatment
of hoarseness caused by spasmodic
dysphonia.
• Recommendation based on randomized
controlled trials with minor limitations and
preponderance of benefit over harm.
Summary
• Large body of evidence supports the efficacy of
botulinum toxin (primarily botulinum toxin A) for
treating adductor spasmodic dysphonia
– Multiple double‐blind, randomized, placebo
controlled trials of botulinum toxin for adductor
spasmodic dysphonia
• self‐assessment voice quality
• expert listeners voice quality
• mental health
• social functioning
• Good safety record
• Minor and temporary adverse events
Evidence profile for Statement 10:
Botulinum Toxin
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade B, few controlled trials,
diagnostic studies with minor limitations, and overwhelmingly
consistent evidence from observational studies
● Benefit: Improved voice quality and voice‐related QOL
● Harm: Risk of aspiration and airway obstruction
● Cost: Direct costs of treatment, time off work, and indirect
costs of repeated treatments
● Benefit‐harm assessment: Preponderance of benefit over
harm
● Value judgments: Botulinum toxin is beneficial despite the
potential need for repeated treatments considering the lack
of other effective interventions for spasmodic dysphonia
Evidence profile for Statement 10:
Botulinum Toxin cont…
● Role of patient preferences: Patient must be
comfortable with FDA off‐label use of botulinum
toxin. While strong evidence supports its use,
botulinum toxin injection is aninvasive therapy
offering only temporarily relief of a non–life‐
threatening condition. Patients may reasonably
elect not to have it performed
● Intentional vagueness: None
● Exclusions: None
● Policy level: Recommendation
STATEMENT 11. PREVENTION
• Clinicians may educate/ counsel patients
with hoarseness about control/preventive
measures
• Option based on observational studies and
small randomized trials of poor quality
Supporting Text
• The risk of hoarseness may be diminished by
preventive measures such as hydration,
avoidance of irritants, voice training, and
amplification
• Despite limited evidence in the literature, the
panel concurred that avoidance of tobacco
smoke (primary or secondhand) was beneficial
to decrease the risk of hoarseness
Evidence profile for Statement 11:
Prevention
● Aggregate evidence quality: Grade C, evidence
based on several observational studies and a few
small randomized trials of poor quality
● Benefit: Possible prevention of hoarseness in
high‐risk persons
● Harm: None
● Cost: Cost of vocal training sessions
● Benefits‐harm assessment: Preponderance of
benefit over harm
How the Guidelines may work for you?
• Support of voice therapy as a treatment for
dysphonia:
– Physicians
– Patients
– Insurance Companies
• Support of SLP’s who have difficulty with
laryngeal imaging prior to initiating therapy
• Support for the SLP’s request to receive
information regarding laryngeal imaging
completed by the physician prior to therapy
Thank you for the opportunity to
represent ASHA and Division 3.