“My daughter speaks very loudly, should we visit a speech-language pathologist?”
My daughter speaks very loudly, especially to her older brother. What is causing this? I am sure she isn't doing it on purpose.
20 Answers
Hello!
Contact her primary care physician for a hearing screening and to have her ears examined. If issues are presented, they will further assist you.
I hope this helps. Continue to be an awesome advocate for your daughter!
Contact her primary care physician for a hearing screening and to have her ears examined. If issues are presented, they will further assist you.
I hope this helps. Continue to be an awesome advocate for your daughter!
I would first have your daughter evaluated by an audiologist to make sure she does not have hearing loss that is causing her to talk louder. After you rule out hearing loss, a speech-language pathologist can address vocal volume.
Good evening,
Thank you for your question. If you haven’t already, I would recommend having her hearing checked by an audiologist. If that is clear, it might be a good idea to ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech language pathologist. Is it just vocal volume or does the quality of the voice sound different (hoarse, raspy, rough)? If there are voice changes that are persistent for more than 2 weeks, I would advise being seen by a pediatric otolaryngologist/ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) doctor.
Thanks,
Amy Bland, MS/CCC-SLP
Thank you for your question. If you haven’t already, I would recommend having her hearing checked by an audiologist. If that is clear, it might be a good idea to ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech language pathologist. Is it just vocal volume or does the quality of the voice sound different (hoarse, raspy, rough)? If there are voice changes that are persistent for more than 2 weeks, I would advise being seen by a pediatric otolaryngologist/ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) doctor.
Thanks,
Amy Bland, MS/CCC-SLP
I am just wondering. Has she ever had a hearing screening or audiological evaluation done by an audiologist? I'm wondering if she speaks loudly because she is compensating for not hearing others/herself enough...I'm not sure if this is the cause but it can be. I would get a hearing screening or a hearing evaluation first before seeing a Speech Language Pathologist just to rule that out.
Is she only speaking loud to her brother? Or across all listeners? Please express your concerns to your pediatrician and if needed request an audiology referral. The first step is to check her hearing and then go from there.
How is her hearing? Her pediatrician can refer her to get her hearing screened/tested. I would start there. Some children are loud and they are not aware of it and may not be a medical cause.
I'd recommend getting a hearing evaluation with an audiologist to rule out any hearing loss. Then, I'd recommend getting a speech evaluation.
The first thing that comes to mind is hearing. When is the last time her hearing was checked? Children's hearing can change every 6 months or when there is fluid present (sick with a cold). An ENT can always do a hearing screening. If she is talking loudly when she is playing actively or very excited it could just be a matter of explicitly teaching different voice volumes for different settings. A voice chart could be useful, for example: 0 at the bottom for 0 no talking, 1 for a whisper, 2 for soft talking, 3 for conversational level, 4 for too loud, and 5 for yelling/ screaming. Come up with different settings or scenarios where each level is appropriate (library vs. playground).
Nicole Bigger
Broomfield, CO
Hi there,
The first thing that comes to mind is: has she completed a hearing assessment recently? I wonder if she is having a hard time hearing herself and feels like she need to talk louder to compensate?
If that is not an area of concern, I would talk to her about different situations that require different voice levels of loudness. For example, we use a level 1-whisper voice at the library, but a level 5-loud voice is appropriate for outside play. For speaking to someone near you, a level 3 voice is appropriate. Modeling and practicing each of these voice levels together can be both fun and educational for her.
The first thing that comes to mind is: has she completed a hearing assessment recently? I wonder if she is having a hard time hearing herself and feels like she need to talk louder to compensate?
If that is not an area of concern, I would talk to her about different situations that require different voice levels of loudness. For example, we use a level 1-whisper voice at the library, but a level 5-loud voice is appropriate for outside play. For speaking to someone near you, a level 3 voice is appropriate. Modeling and practicing each of these voice levels together can be both fun and educational for her.
1. I would have her hearing screened.
2. Make an index card with a paper clip. Make a scale with too loud, just right, too quiet. Slide the paper clip to different sections, and practice using the voice in that section. Cue her with the card when she is talking too loudly. If she can’t self-monitor herself after some practice and prompts, I would then refer to a speech therapist.
3. Watch a tv program and identify characters in the different zones of loudness.
Thanks,
Angie Ellenbecker MS, CCC-SLP
2. Make an index card with a paper clip. Make a scale with too loud, just right, too quiet. Slide the paper clip to different sections, and practice using the voice in that section. Cue her with the card when she is talking too loudly. If she can’t self-monitor herself after some practice and prompts, I would then refer to a speech therapist.
3. Watch a tv program and identify characters in the different zones of loudness.
Thanks,
Angie Ellenbecker MS, CCC-SLP
Before scheduling a speech evaluation, I would go to an audiologist and make sure there is no hearing loss or fluid affecting her hearing, as it can affect her vocal volume. If all is good with hearing, then seek a speech evaluation. She might need some strategies on vocal volume.
I would suggest that you have your daughter's hearing tested. Have an audiologist check her hearing and evaluate her ears for wax or blockage. Does she appear to speak loudly to you as well? Does she play with her brother, and in her excitement increase her volume? That part would be normal, but the constant loud voice may mean she is having trouble with her hearing.
Maybe try getting a hearing evaluation done first to see if she’s having trouble hearing others and herself talking, then see where that takes you
Hello,
Visiting a speech-language pathologist may help. I would also recommend having her hearing evaluated to rule out any ear issues.
Adrianna Sulaica, Au.D., CCC-A
Visiting a speech-language pathologist may help. I would also recommend having her hearing evaluated to rule out any ear issues.
Adrianna Sulaica, Au.D., CCC-A
Take her to an audiologist to have her hearing tested.
Syed S. Ahmed
Speech-Language Pathologist
One of the reasons for loud speech is some degree of hearing loss. I would rule out any degree of hearing loss first by consulting an Audiologist in the area
Terlenda Lassiter
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hello. Before I begin my response to your question, please note I am a medical speech language pathologist. We are required to complete a Bachelor's, Master's, 9-month externship, and then apply for certification. While we are trained specialist within the domain of medicine and healthcare, we are not physicians. I am not a doctor. Now....
Has your daughter participated in hearing screenings at school? I would have her consulted by an audiologist/pediatric audiologist just to rule out any hearing difficulty that might contribute to her speaking loudly. Once we rule out a hearing difficulty, then we can consider an SLP to work with her on proper vocal hygiene and protecting her voice if that is needed. I would say let's rule out a hearing concern first.
Has your daughter participated in hearing screenings at school? I would have her consulted by an audiologist/pediatric audiologist just to rule out any hearing difficulty that might contribute to her speaking loudly. Once we rule out a hearing difficulty, then we can consider an SLP to work with her on proper vocal hygiene and protecting her voice if that is needed. I would say let's rule out a hearing concern first.
Hi!
When children speak loudly, it is sometimes as a result of them not hearing themselves efficiently. Have you had her hearing assessed by an audiologist or an ENT?
When children speak loudly, it is sometimes as a result of them not hearing themselves efficiently. Have you had her hearing assessed by an audiologist or an ENT?
Karen Young
Jupiter, FL
How old is your daughter? Is she trying to make her voice heard? Is she trying to keep up with her older brother? Often, this is the case. She might be trying to assert herself if others are speaking over her. If it isn't causing her to have a sore throat, there shouldn't be a cause for concern.
You might try speaking more quietly to her, and modeling that lower volume at dinner or wherever she speaks that way.
You might try speaking more quietly to her, and modeling that lower volume at dinner or wherever she speaks that way.
Tara Helwig
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hi,
It may be a hearing or voicing issue. Have you had her hearing checked lately?
It may be a hearing or voicing issue. Have you had her hearing checked lately?
