Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Corporate Speech Pathology?

• What types of services are provided?

• What qualifications are required to provide Corporate Speech Pathology services?

• Can corporate trainers and other "non-SLP" business consultants provide these services?

• How long have you been providing Corporate speech-language pathology services?

• Who are your clients?

• Does corporate speech-language pathology follow the same code of ethics and guidelines for confidentiality as traditional SLP services?

• How are Corporate speech-language pathology services provided?

• Where are corporate speech-language pathology services usually provided?

• How are Corporate speech-language pathology services reimbursed?

• Can companies save money by using the consulting services of Corporate Speech-Language pathology?

• Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Use.
  
  What is Corporate Speech Pathology?

Corporate speech-language pathology is a specialized area of practice, in communication science. Corporate Speech-Language Pathology focuses specifically on business communication, applying communication science to business success. This professional development coaching and training, identifies, develops and delivers the communication tools to support and enhance the business communication of workplace communication. "In sync" business communication skills enable highly motivated successful companies and professionals to keep pace with their business creativity, growth and change. 

What types of services are provided?

Corporate SLP services provide customized professional development programs. These are designed to address the comprehensive business communication needs and goals of the client. Professional development can include:  Business speech improvement/pronunciation skills; Voice Ergonomics® (professional voice fitness); Business voice enhancement; Public speaking & presentation skills; Auditory processing skills; Written and verbal language skills; effective professional intercultural communication (cultural diversity in the workplace/client base), Accent Reduction/ Modification (foreign and regional), Professional Listening skills, Standard American English business skills, Professional Telephone  Skills; Presentation Skills; Executive Communication Skills for Foreign-born and AE professionals; professional language, vocabulary and verbal problem solving skills (communication for managing up and down); professional verbal and written language skills;  Train the Trainer programs for identification and  training of employees with learning differences. In certain situations when needed, clinical services for professionals can also be provided in speech, vocal rehabilitation and language with rehabilitation focus on successful, reliable professional communication.

What qualifications are required to provide Corporate Speech Pathology services?

        To practice corporate speech-language pathology one must:

• Be licensed in  Speech -Language Pathology in all the states where services are being provided.    

• Hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).    

• Specialize in Corporate speech-language pathology

For more information on Corporate speech-language pathology:

           www.corspan.org

 For information on training and upcoming courses:

            www.keeppaceseminars.com             

Can corporate trainers and other "non-SLP" business consultants provide these services?

·         No.

·         Only a state licensed SLP with ASHA CCC's, specializing in corporate speech-language pathology can by law provide these services to the general public.

·         Regrettably, consumer protection and state licensure laws are broken multiple times daily in the corporate environment. A variety of consultants, executive coaches, national corporate training organizations, in-house corporate trainers, etc. attempt to train speech, voice, accent reduction/ modification, monotone voice, slang speech and other voice use issues, etc. in their training programs. They are harming many people, wasting company time and money, and risking significant liability for themselves and their companies.

How long have you been providing Corporate Speech-Language pathology services?

My private practice began providing these services in the early to mid 1980’s. In the 1990’s, as business became increasingly more communication driven, my practice began regularly serving the communication needs of professionals. The variety of needs have ranged from accent reduction/modification, voice enhancement, Voice Ergonomics®, stuttering, speech/pronunciation skills, presentation skills, Executive Communication Skills (written and verbal), professional verbal problem solving skills, to general business written and verbal language skills and auditory processing for professionals.

    Who are your clients?

Our clients are highly trained, self-directed, self-motivated, successful professionals. They are creative, highly educated, professionally disciplined, goal oriented and success focused.  They are successful in business; intend to remain successful and to advance in business. 

Examples include: Customer Service, Clergy, Administrative Assistants, Chefs, Managers, Independent Business Owners, CEO's, Independent Consultants, Scientists, Engineers, Sales, Educators, Physicians, Media Personalities, Singers, Public Speakers, entrepreneurs, etc.

We do not give out the names of our clients.  Typically, this is a well-kept business strategy they wish to keep secret from their competitors. 

Does Corporate Speech-Language pathology follow the same code of ethics and guidelines for confidentiality as traditional SLP services?

Yes. Corporate Speech-Language Pathology follows the same licensure laws, code of ethics and confidentiality rules and regulations (HIPAA) as traditional SLP services. This is simply a specialized division of our profession, which specializes in the workplace communication needs of professionals in business and industry.

Professionally, the same state licensure laws, ASHA CCC’s, Practice Standards and Ethical obligations to serve, inform, educate and protect the consumer govern Corporate Speech-Language Pathology.

How are Corporate Speech-Language pathology services provided?

·         First, a communication needs assessment is conducted on site. This includes a detailed speech analysis and analysis of the unique workplace communication needs.

·         Then a customized work-related training program is developed. 

·         Training or coaching is conducted, following competence-based progress/outcomes. 

·         Goals are usually met within a short period of time. All participants are expected to have strong company and family support along with required regular daily self-directed practice.

·         To insure continued success, follow-up and on-call support services are provided on request.

Where are Corporate Speech-Language pathology services usually provided?

·         On the business site/campus, during normal business hours, or in my office.

·         Group services for a company are also provided on site or at an off-campus site as needed and decided upon between the company and Corporate SLP.

How are Corporate Speech-Language pathology services reimbursed?

Payment for services is accepted through corporate or private payment. Companies classify the services under professional training, professional development and health and wellness.

Can companies save money by using the consulting services of Corporate Speech-Language pathology?

Yes!  "Communication is the currency of business".

Companies use these services for two major reasons:

1.   To increase the bottom line. 

2.      Maximize business talent, which in turn increases the bottom line. 

These are additional business benefits.

·         Increased professional performance outcomes.

·         Reduced repetitive loss of productivity.

·         Maximized potential for success.

·         Employee retention.

·         Reduced employee job stress.

·         Employee confidence, motivation and personal productivity.

·         Prevent EEOC, WC and other litigation situations resulting in unnecessary business losses. E.g. Discrimination suits due to professional voice, speech, language or accent interfering with job performance, promotion, etc.

”Communication science supporting business success.”

Frequently asked questions about voice use.

True or False

1.   ___I often find that I am short of breath as I speak.  

2.   ___My voice is different in the morning than at night.

3.   ___When I speak I don’t have the voice I want.

4.   ___When I have a cold or an allergy, I sometimes lose my voice.  

5.   ___My throat feels very dry and scratchy after prolonged speaking.

6.   ___I feel my voice isn’t really me.

7.   ___When my voice is tired,  it sounds distant and weak.

8.   ___I would like to change the pitch of my voice.

9.   ___I frequently clear my throat, because it feels like there is   

             something  there.

10. ___After I talk a lot, my throat hurts and aches.

These are a sampling of questions from a simple voice self-analysis.

Answering true to these questions indicates concerns of voice stress, fatigue and the formula for developing a vocal injury which can be prevented with early intervention and training.

Professional voice users have little or no access to information about their voices.  They are often painfully familiar with the rigors of constantly using their voice and the frustrations they experience when their voice fails. These voice athletes have great curiosity about their voices. Given the opportunity, they ask a wide variety of questions. Here are some of their typical questions.

Why do I get so tired from talking all day?

Using the voice is a repetitive muscle activity requiring physical stamina and endurance of both the larynx and the body.  We have to coordinate breath support with voice and speech production, remain focused on what we have to say, and do this for hours each day.  It’s vigorous and tiring work. All professional athletes are tired after maximum performance even when is the best of shape.  Voice athletes get tired too. 

My voice has not been the same since I had a long bout of the flu and bronchitis last year. Following that illness, I have had repeated problems with hoarseness. I thought my voice would clear up over time.  The hoarseness continues and sometimes I lose my voice all together.  What should I do?

It’s time to see your Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) physician for a laryngeal examination. The vocal cords take a terrible beating during this kind of illness. Vocal quality changes to hoarseness and may begin with acute laryngitis, because the vocal cords are irritated and swollen from the actual illness. It takes approximately 72 hours to establish a negative muscle pattern. Using a deep, husky, throaty vocal production is a negative vocal muscle pattern.  Using this voice over several weeks can become a voice of habit, and result in injury to the vocal cords. When hoarseness persists for two weeks, or there is a sudden and unexplained onset of hoarseness, see an ENT for a laryngeal consultation.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.

I saw my ENT and was referred for voice therapy with a speech pathologist.  Why do I need to see a speech pathologist?  My voice is the problem, not my speech.

ENT physicians and licensed speech pathologists are professionals specifically trained, licensed and certified to address medical evaluations, identification and correction of voice problems and voice injuries. Following the ENT medical evaluation, the speech pathologist conducts a voice evaluation of the bio-mechanics of the vocal production problems causing/associated with the medical problems/vocal injury.  From this evaluation, a voice therapy/rehabilitation program is developed specifically to resolve the bio-mechanic problems associated with/causing the voice condition/injury. The goals of voice work include rehabilitation of the vocal injury, development of a strong, healthy voice and education and training to prevent any future vocal injuries.  We see a physical therapist for rehabilitation of physical injuries and a speech pathologist for voice problems and voice injuries.

Why is reflux a problem for my voice?

Reflux causes laryngitis and over an extended period of time may lead to cancer. The acid associated with reflux is very caustic to the vocal cords. It comes up the esophagus, burning the delicate tissue of the vocal cords.  Chronic reflux can cause damage to the vocal cords. We adapt to this damage (bio-mechanically) with changes in the way we product voice and use our voices. Reflux can actually be an underlying medical problem associated with on going voice problems and vocal injuries. Consult an ENT for medical evaluation and management of reflux. Contact a licensed SLP for the mechanical issues after medical consultation with the ENT.

What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux laryngitis?

Morning hoarseness; chronic sore throat; frequent throat clearing; excessive phlegm; prolonged voice warn-up time; a sensation of a “lump in the throat”; night coughing. 

Will gargling with warm salt water or sucking on a lemon, improve my voice quality prior to speaking or singing?

These do not enhance vocal quality.  Salt water and lemon juice, are each irritating and drying to the tissues of the mouth and throat.  Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep the vocal cords hydrated and get education and training from properly licensed and certified professionals (licensed speech pathologists) on the care and healthy use of your voice.

Are there particular foods I need to avoid, to protect my voice?

Avoid caffeine, throat lozenges, alcohol, and mints.  These dry out the throat by dehydrating the body. Also reduce the amount of milk products and sugar in your diet. These are mucous producing foods, which result in increased production of mucous in the body.

What is the function of the larynx?

The larynx has three primary biological functions (respiration, protection of the lungs, and thoracic fixation needed when the body exerts a high degree of physical effort). Voice is a non-biological function requiring very fine coordinated movements of the laryngeal muscles.

What are the signs that I may be having problems with my voice?

Strained voice; tired voice; constant throat clearing; monotone voice; neck and throat pain; shortness of breath when talking; weak voice; low pitch; dry mouth and throat; volume problems (too high/low); harshness; breathy voice; traumatic laryngitis; and there are others.

What do I do if I have any of these symptoms?

If you have any of these symptoms, contact a licensed speech pathologist or ENT for consultation.  The goal is to avoid developing a vocal injury through prevention, early identification and early intervention.  It’s a lot easier to prevent a vocal injury than one might think, while rehabilitation of a vocal injury could take several months.

Are there things I can do to keep my voice effective, fit and healthy?

Yes. Contact a licensed speech pathologist specializing in the proper education and training in voice ergonomics® and the care and use of your voice.

My friends tell me to whisper when I lose my voice.  Is whispering helpful?

This is an example of well-intended “dangerous” advice. Do not whisper to compensate for losing your voice. Whispering, like throat clearing, is damaging to the vocal cords and results in trauma and injury to the vocal cords.  If you need advice about your voice, contact the appropriate licensed, certified, trained professionals (an ENT or licensed speech pathologist). 

I use voice rest when I lose my voice, but I still find myself continuing to lose my voice.  Why doesn’t this correct my voice problem?

Voice rest is recommended to protect the vocal cords from further immediate trauma and damage.  Voice rest is recommended during problems of traumatic laryngitis; for the healing process following surgery on the vocal cords; during severe URI’s due to colds and flu; and even following a long day of vigorous professional voice use. Voice rest only prevents further immediate damage and abuse to traumatized vocal cords.  It does not correct the actual bio-mechanics issue associated with the vocal problem/voice disorder. 

Communication science supporting business success.