In phoniatrics, we treat severe dysfunctions of voice, speech, and language. We also treat swallowing disorders and various symptoms of the larynx. Treatment at our clinic requires a physician’s referral. Mild dysfunctions can be treated at local health centers.
Voice dysfunctions may be due to an organic problem, such as infection or swelling in the vocal cords. Sometimes the underlying reason may be in poor voice technique. Moreover, sometimes the required tasks can be unreasonable for the voice.
A voice dysfunction is a condition where your voice does not work the way you need it to. You may find your voice to be hoarse, rasping or easily tired. A voice dysfunction may have to do with your work, your hobbies or your social life.
Sometimes a voice dysfunction may arise due to an organic problem, but more often it is functional: the voice malfunctions because your vocal technique is not up to the demands you are putting on your voice. Sometimes work or hobbies may place an unreasonable strain on the vocal organs.
Speech and language dysfunctions usually occur in children: a child's speech and language may not develop at the same pace as their other skills. For some children, language difficulties lead to learning difficulties later in life. The Phoniatrics Outpatient Clinic also treats fluency disorders such as stuttering.
Voice and language dysfunctions manifest themselves in producing speech or comprehending speech or both. Children may use incorrect or mutated words, have difficulty inflecting words, or have difficulty finding words when they speak. They may have difficulty in understanding questions and complicated instructions.
Language dysfunctions can be reliably diagnosed in children aged about 4 and above. Children and their families can receive support as needed from an AAC instructor, an early childhood education special needs teacher, a rehabilitation coach, and a social worker.
If a child is 3 years old and (1) cannot yet express himself/herself verbally, or (2) has considerable difficulty understanding language, or (3) communications problems impede the child from participating in everyday interaction situations and from learning new things, and (4) the child requires means of communication supporting and replacing speech in almost all situations; then the child has a severe language dysfunction.
Mild language dysfunctions are dealt with in basic health care, while severe ones require specialist medical care.
This page contains links to phoniatrics instruction videos.
The links will take you to the HUS YouTube:
Speech amplifier
The Phoniatrics Outpatient Clinic is in the Rubik building in Pasila. You need a referral to have an appointment at our outpatient clinic.