Vocology is the science of the voice, focusing on speech disorders and vocal cord overuse. Vocologists diagnose and recommend ways to improve speech or loudness production, and work with laryngologists for holistic treatment. They also work with singers to improve tone, volume, control, and resonance value. Vocology researches speech disorders and identifying characteristics to isolate particular impediments. Equipment used in vocology measures specific aspects of a person’s voice, such as electroglottographs and tonal quality analyzers. Early pioneers in the field aimed to perfect the voice for professional singing and public speaking.
With a particular concern for speech disorders and vocal cord overuse, vocology, or speech-language pathology, is the science of the voice, both how it is made and how it can be improved. Vocologists are trained at several accredited institutions to diagnose problems with speech or loudness production and recommend ways to improve. These professionals often work closely with speech and throat therapists, called laryngologists, to provide holistic treatment for a range of speech problems.
Vocologists are sometimes more interested in working with singing students on ways to improve each singer’s tone, volume, control, and resonance value. Complex recording devices and vocology software allow for the intricate measurement of each of these value factors to highlight where problems in projection or sound quality are most prevalent. This type of study is often part of a university’s music therapy and music education curriculum, and can also be used to assess whether soloists or even a choir perform on par, with melodic clarity and harmonic balance.
Academic vocology efforts often delve into speech disorders, including both their causes and identifying characteristics. The field provides therapists and doctors with detailed tests to isolate particular impediments in an attempt to overcome them. At the National Center for Voice & Speech, for example, research is done on the effects of speech for Parkinson’s disease and on treatments that could be successful. Many vocologists try to become proficient in identifying the various conditions that cause speech impediments and the techniques used to combat these problems.
Early pioneers in the field include George Gates, an ear, nose, and throat doctor and professor at Washington University, as well as University of Iowa speech therapist Ingo Titze. Both professions argued from the outset that the field would not only deal with speech impediments. He would also, they insisted, perfect the voice for such places as professional singing and public speaking.
The equipment used in vocology is often focused on evaluating a specific aspect of a person’s voice. A recording device produces what’s called an electroglottograph, which measures how much the vocal cords move during singing or speaking. Another device can measure the tonal quality of a pre-programmed song or measure which parts of a choir’s harmony require additional projection. Other speech therapy equipment can analyze speech patterns and diaphragm support to recognize key areas that need improvement.
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