Voice Clinic

Children with voice and breathing challenges – including complex vocal cord conditions or a history of airway surgery – receive expert, compassionate care at Phoenix Children’s Voice Clinic. We’re the only pediatric-focused voice and breathing clinic in Arizona, with specialists trained to care for children and young adults.

Our multidisciplinary team includes a pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon and a speech-language pathologist, both with expert training in voice disorders. They work together to understand your child’s unique needs and enhance their confidence in connecting with others.

Voice and breathing conditions can look different for every child. Some may experience vocal strain, hoarseness or changes caused by abnormal growths or swelling on the vocal cords. Others may have vocal cord weakness or nerve involvement that changes how the vocal cords move. You may notice your child’s voice sounds hoarse, breathy or hard to hear. Some children have trouble catching their breath while playing, speaking or exercising.

One Team, One Place

During your child’s first visit, you’ll meet with both a pediatric ENT and a speech-language pathologist. This team-based model allows specialists to evaluate your child’s voice and breathing together, not separately. That helps them understand the full picture and create a comprehensive and personalized plan to meet your child’s needs.

Many families appreciate getting answers and beginning care – all in the same visit.

Before scheduling an appointment, you’ll need a referral from your child’s provider.

Most children qualify for an evaluation around age four or as soon as they start speaking in short phrases. Depending on when symptoms start, they may also qualify later in their teenage years or early adulthood. If you notice changes in your child’s voice or breathing before age four, your care team can help guide you on the next steps.

During your child’s first visit to our clinic, we perform a comprehensive voice and breathing evaluation. Depending on your child’s needs, the visit may include:

General health and voice history
Acoustic analysis of pitch and vocal control
Airflow and pressure testing
Videostroboscopy, which uses a small camera to assess vocal cord function
Voice or breathing trial therapy exercises to see what strategies may help

We can often schedule ongoing therapy before you leave.

Your care team will walk you through every step, explain what they find and build a care plan together with you.

Some children need just one or two visits, while others benefit from ongoing therapy or follow-up care. Voice therapy often starts with weekly sessions. The frequency of appointments gradually tapers off as your child progresses.

Voice therapy is available at Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus and Phoenix Children’s Specialty Care – East Valley. Your care team will help you find the most convenient option for your family and design a schedule that fits your needs.

Voice and speech therapy are closely related, but they address different aspects of communication.

Voice therapy focuses on how the voice sounds and works. It supports children who experience changes in their voice, such as hoarseness, strain or episodes of voice loss. Therapy may include exercises that strengthen vocal cords and promote healthy vocal habits.

Speech therapy helps with pronunciation, language use or fluency (like stuttering). It’s more focused on how your child uses words and forms sentences.

At Phoenix Children’s, a speech-language pathologist with special training in pediatric voice care leads your child’s voice therapy. If your child needs speech therapy, your care team can help schedule those sessions, too.

Yes, telehealth sessions for voice therapy may be available, depending on your child’s needs.

Yes. Not all children need surgery. Many improve with voice therapy or lifestyle changes, like avoiding yelling or staying hydrated.

If you have questions, we’re happy to help. You can contact us at 602-933-3277.