Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

Any info on MTD
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Posted by: sparrow ®
04/25/2007, 21:26:33
A little off topic , but just checking if anyone knows of any chat/information sites such as this that offer individuals a venue to share experiences and successes with MTD .Thanks for any info ......Sparrow



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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Any info on MTD -- sparrow Top of thread Archive
Posted by: vteets ®
04/26/2007, 17:55:20
Forgive my ignorance- what is MTD?



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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- vteets Top of thread Archive
Posted by: David Barton ®
04/26/2007, 19:00:12
MTD is the acronym used in a voice context for 'muscle tension dysphonia'. It is more correctly referred to as 'hyperfunctional voice'.

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between MTD and SD, but putting it oversimply:

SD is a neurological movement disorder - the voice that results from focal dystonia affecting the larynx. It is typified by breaks in voicing.

MTD is typically a constant strained, tight voice. It can respond to appropriate voice therapy.

Sometimes, a patient with SD will develop compensatory voicing techniques to attempt to work around the SD, and this can introduce another component to the SD.

We have discussed how to differentiate between MTD and ADductor SD on the bulletin before. See the link below.

David Barton (AD/SD, North Shore, NZ)


Related link: MTD vs AD SD

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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- David Barton Top of thread Archive
Posted by: los ®
05/08/2007, 11:24:53
I have been dealing with MTD for almost 2 years now. I have been through vocal therapy with mixed results. I also had the circumlaryngal massage done to my neck which helped out as well. However, I still get the tightness in my thoat and neck when I talk at a normal level. Has anyone tried anything that has worked?



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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- los Top of thread Archive
Posted by: dfw ®
05/09/2007, 21:26:41
I don't have MTD, but I do have a lot of tension in my neck and an elevated larynx from straining to talk. My speech therapist includes the circumlaryngeal massage into my speech therapy sessions and it does help a lot.

Per my speech therapist's recommendation, I purchased a professional grade massager (The Thumper) that I try use every day at home. It costs $200 at The Sharper Image, but I got mine for half that on eBay.

If the circumlaryngeal massage helped you, then an intense massager like this that you could use every day would probably be of great benefit. For the most relief, I use it under my chin, on the muscles down each side of the neck, and on my shoulders. It's amazing.

Lori
AB/SD since 2003
Texas




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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- dfw Top of thread Archive
Posted by: los ®
05/10/2007, 12:00:12
Lori,
Thanks for your info. I am willing to try anything, and that sounds very logical to me.



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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- los Top of thread Archive
Posted by: dfw ®
05/10/2007, 18:48:42
Also, do muscle relaxers help at all? It seems that would be beneficial for "muscle tension" dysphonia.

Lori
AB/SD since 2003
Texas




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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- dfw Top of thread Archive
Posted by: sparrow ®
05/12/2007, 21:08:16
From the Literature that I have read you would have to take ridiculous dosages of muscle relaxants , thus ENTs and Speech Pathologists don't recognize it as a valid treament .

There are a lot of theories on the different voice therapies available . My voice is still only at 75% but the therapy that I had the greatest success at was reading exerpts with a lot of words that initiate hard glottic attack and practicing the sentences and being careful to only use diaphragm pressure and no throat muscle particpation .

I still have a tight sounding and sometimes gravely sounding voice towards the end of the day and that's what I am still working on to eliminate or control .......Sparrow




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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- sparrow Top of thread Archive
Posted by: los ®
05/14/2007, 09:25:49
Hey Sparrow,

For the most part, I was about 75% there myself, only to have some tightning and pain come back. I have also been having a burning sensation which is new to me. Since I was realeased from voice therapy a few months back, it's taken some time to get back into my doctor's (they're pretty backed up). How long have you battled this MTD? I am going on 2 years, and it's driving me crazy!




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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- sparrow Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Hoarse Whisperer ®
05/14/2007, 22:22:06
Sparrow, What are some examples of words that initiate hard glottic attack?

Thanks!

Lori
AB/SD - since 2003
DFW, Texas




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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- Hoarse Whisperer Top of thread Archive
Posted by: los ®
05/16/2007, 09:09:48
I also have a question for those out there. What have you all done with your occupations? I am a teacher, and have been using wireless microphones to help me continue with my career. At times, I find this very frustrating just with the nature of what I have to do. I am not sure I can teach much longer with the struggles I have to go through on a daily basis. What have others done to get through the day? What other occupations are out there where the voice isn't a necessity?



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Re: Any info on MTD
Re: Re: Any info on MTD -- los Top of thread Archive
Posted by: sparrow ®
05/16/2007, 21:15:51
I have had MTD for about a 1 1/2 years with the worst being Jan-April 06 . For awhile I couldn't say 4 words in a row without my voice hitting crazy pitch oscillations and tightening immediately .

Words that initiate hard glottic attack are ones that start with vowels and some people develop a habit of using the laryngeal muscles to help intiate the vowel .

I usually practices the words and phrases by placing my hand on my throat to ensure there is only cord vibration and not muscle movment .I especially have problems with the vowel "E" and some of the phrases I practice with good air support are

-Eat each green pea /Aim straight at the game /Ed said get ready
-It is in Italy /I tried my Kite / Oaks grow slowly
-Father was calm as he threw the bomb on the dock
-An awed audience applauded Claude

Theres lots more but too much to write hear . Another simple exercise is to read an article out loud from the newspaper by using different loudness levels . However as soon as your voice is getting tight again / stop/ and start again only when you can do the exercises with no strain otherwise muscle memory will get built up in your throat . Hope this helps .....Sparrow




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