Using Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises in Voice Therapy: The Clinician's Primer

Abstract

Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises have long been used by voice trainers and pedagogues and have been particularly popular in Scandinavia dating as far back as the 1800s. Titze (1988, 1994, 2006; Titze, Riede, & Popolo, 2008; Titze & Verdolini-Abbot, 2012) has contributed significantly to the exploration of the SOVT and impact on voice production, and these types of exercise have become ubiquitous in the clinical voice arena. Although SOVT exercises are commonly used, there continue to be questions about the exact nature of how they impact phonation and improved vocal economy. This article aims to explore the physiology of a SOVT on vocal fold vibration and vocal output. Several variations are described within context of recent research.