Phoniatrics studies and treats disorders that affect the organs in charge of voice generation.
The concept of phoniatrics is formed from two compositional elements: one is phono- (which refers to "sound" or "voice" ) and the other, -iatry (linked to the "area of medicine focused on the healing of" ).
In this way, it is easy to determine that phoniatrics is the medical specialty that is responsible for the study and treatment of disorders that affect the organs responsible for voice production . An expert in speech therapy is known as a phoniatrician .
Characteristics of phoniatrics
Phoniatrics is dedicated to analyzing, diagnosing, palliating and curing those diseases that are linked to oral communication . In this way, it deals with the voice (the sound generated when the vocal cords vibrate), speech (the ability to utter words) and language (the linguistic system).
By extension, phoniatrics is also useful in addressing issues related to swallowing , hearing and learning , for example. That is why it can be noted that it contributes to the development of communication in the broadest sense, helping to overcome various difficulties.
Voice, speech and language are part of the area of interest of phoniatrics.
Differences with otorhinolaryngology and speech therapy
Speech therapy is often confused with otorhinolaryngology . Phoniatrics specializes in the therapies that patients need to achieve their rehabilitation, while otorhinolaryngology focuses primarily on anatomical issues related to phonation and hearing.
There are subspecialties of otorhinolaryngology that are also very close to phoniatrics. One of them is laryngology , which examines those pathologies of the larynx that affect the quality of the voice .
Another discipline that has points in common with speech therapy is speech therapy . This is the name given to the set of techniques and methodologies that make the teaching of normal speech possible. Speech therapy, then, works with people who have problems pronouncing words.
Conditions treated by phoniatrics
There are numerous complications and pathologies that phoniatrics treats. Stuttering is one of them: this communication disorder consists of involuntary pauses and repetitions when speaking.
Aphonia (absence of voice) and dysphonia (quantitative or qualitative lack of phonation) are other problems studied by phoniatrics. It is important to note that the causes of these problems can be varied.
Depending on the case, the speech therapist can work together with other specialists, such as speech therapists and language psychologists . The idea is to provide a comprehensive solution.
speech therapy
We cannot fail to mention the existence of a discipline that, in certain ways, includes speech therapy and also goes beyond it. Speech therapy deals with aspects of speech, such as phoniatrics, and also focuses on hearing .
Therefore, speech therapy is related to human communication in an extensive sense. Even known as speech therapy , it can treat children, adolescents and adults with difficulties communicating orally.
In a certain way, it can be said that speech therapy has a rather biological basis, while speech therapy studies expression from different perspectives.