Phoniatrics (Greek for "healing of the vocal apparatus") is a medical discipline that deals with disorders relating to
swallowing. It is related to the field of pediatric audiology. Both specialties deal with the examination, therapy and prevention of disruptive factors in human communication. Here you will find further information and selected phoniatrists.
Phoniatrics is interdisciplinary and brings together various professional groups such as
together. The interdisciplinary exchange guarantees the highest possible volume of data. The doctors involved analyze it from different angles in order to identify the causes of the disorder.
There is also a close connection to the fields of
The working group of German-speaking phoniatrists was founded in 1966. This later became the German Society for Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology. Nevertheless, phoniatrics and pedaudiology remained an unspecified marginal field of medicine until 1978.
From 1978 onwards, the sub-areas were gradually incorporated into ENT medicine and functioned as specialized disciplines. Following a decision by the German Medical Association in 1993, the two fields became fully recognized specialties.
Doctors can now complete a five-year training course to become a specialist in phoniatrics and pedaudiology.
Most speech development disorders occur in early childhood. Accordingly, phoniatrics is primarily concerned with the neurological characteristics of early childhood brain functions.
The specialty strives to detect speech and swallowing disorders at an early stage. It then concentrates on their rehabilitation.
However, communication difficulties can also occur later in life, for example as a result of psychological trauma. In cooperation with psychology, phoniatrics researches the causes of speech disorders.
There are now a number of research projects in the field of phoniatrics. These include, among others
The areas of application of phoniatrics include all malformations of the mouth and throat that result in articulatory complaints and swallowing disorders.
Within phoniatrics, a distinction is made between different disorders:
Many disorders are the product of a genetic predisposition. Possible inherited disorders are
Speech disorders are defined by a neurological impairment of the speech apparatus, for example in the case of
Examples of speech disorders can be
Speech disorders, on the other hand, are understood to be peculiarities in the flow of speech and in linguistic performance. Speech disorders also include the paralysis of facial nerves. Examples of speech disorders are
In addition to the subdivisions listed, the voice is also examined in detail in order to record changes or anomalies and integrate them into an overall picture. Possible causes of dysphonia (voice disorders):
First of all, phoniatrists take the patient's medical history (anamnesis) and examine the symptoms. They formulate an initial suspicion, which they check with the help of second opinions from other professional groups.
Research into the causes of communication disorders is fundamental. Do the symptoms stem from organic or neurological causes? Is there a psychological reason for the symptoms? Or are they possibly the result of a protracted infection?
In neurological procedures, the currents and areas of the brain are checked. With the help of diagnostic methods such as
damage or abnormalities in brain function can be detected.
Tests such as X-rays or acoustic speech tests are used to check the function of the organs involved.
If swallowing is difficult, minimally invasive examinations can be carried out through the nose and mouth. If a diagnosis is still difficult, a psychological cause is likely. In this case, psychologists or (speech) therapists are called in.
The number of possible treatment methods is as numerous as the range of causes to be treated.
In the case of speech development disorders, such as disabilities or delays, speech therapy is often used.
If this type of therapy is unable to resolve the communication difficulties and the problem may worsen, a form of AAC is often considered. This can help to improve communication skills with the help of special devices.
However, there are also surgical procedures in phoniatrics, such as adenotomy. This routine removal of the adenoids is usually initiated by an ear, nose and throat specialist. Phoniatrists also refer their patients to surgery if an organic obstruction is found to be the cause of swallowing and speech difficulties.
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