In this episode of BackTable ENT, Dr. Gopi Shah is joined with speech language pathologist (SLP) Sarah Quintana, MS, CCC-SLP from Louisiana State University-Shreveport who specializes in gender-affirming voice, singing, voice rehabilitation, and remote service delivery models. Sarah and Gopi discuss the role of speech language pathology in the care of those with professional voices.

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SHOW NOTES

First, Sarah delves into her background of being a singer and how this influenced her to become an SLP who works with professional voices. Next, they talk about the type of patients Sarah sees at the voice center and how she assesses patients. She expands on the types of questions she asks and explains her systematic approach of using a stroboscope to look at vocal cord function. Next, Sarah and Gopi discuss the other individuals who make up the voice care team and also talk about the distinction between a voice coach, voice trainer, and voice teacher. Additionally, they delineate the roles of voice rehabilitation versus vocal habitation. Sarah also explains how she works with laryngologists to provide multidisciplinary care for professional voice patients.

Finally, Gopi and Sarah close out the episode by discussing voice conservation, the role of equitable healthcare in the field of SLP, and Sarah’s interest in remote service delivery options.