Paper on Adele's polyps

You will select a communication disorder about which you would like to learn from the list discussed in class. You will research the definition, cause, and the characteristics of the disorder, including what area of our field this disorder falls. You will then research a person in current events who has this communication disorder, the effect on their lives, and the role of the speech language pathologist in the treatment. Please also include any controversy about this disorder and treatment methods used. turn in a 3-5-page paper with 3 or more references.

References should be from reputable sources such ASHA.org, newspaper articles, and official organizations. No blog posts accepted. These references can include your textbook. References should be cited in the paper, as well as in the bibliography in APA format. Points will be deducted for improper formatting. See https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ for more information on APA.

You will research the 

· Definition

· From the textbook: Vocal polyps are small, fluid-filled sacs that develop on the vocal folds as a result of yelling and other excessive uses of the voice ( Johns, 2003 ; Kleinsasser, 1979 , 1990 ). Compared to nodules, which are fibrous and usually bilateral, polyps are soft and compliant and typically occur on one side only. They may appear anywhere in the larynx, including on the vocal folds or ventricular folds or between the arytenoids. In contrast to the prolonged vocal misuse that leads to nodules, it is believed that a single event of vocal misuse, such as screaming or even intense coughing, can lead to development of a polyp ( McFarlane & Von Berg, 1998 ).

· A vocal polyp may result in significant voice problems, including breathiness or hoarseness. The polyp may also cause each vocal fold to vibrate at a different rate, causing a double voice, or diplophonia . Treatment for a vocal polyp frequently entails identification of the behaviors that led to the problem (e.g., yelling, throat clearing, coughing). In Mrs. Delvechio’s case, once she became aware of the behaviors that were contributing to the voice problem, she could eliminate those habits. Subsequently, the polyp reduced in size as the laryngeal tissue healed. In some cases, the individuals may need specific therapeutic instruction by a speech-language pathologist to improve use of the voice. In still other cases, surgical removal of a polyp by an otolaryngologist is necessary ( Johns, 2003 ; Kleinsasser, 1979 , 1990 ).

·

· Cause

· the characteristics of the disorder, including what area of our field this disorder falls

 You will then research 

· a person in current events who has this communication disorder

· the effect on their lives

The singer was previously forced to cancel tour dates in 2011, after suffering a throat haemorrhage. She had to undergo surgery, and had to teach herself to sing again. Speaking in 2012, after moths spent recuperating, she said, “My voice has its limits. If I go on a 200-date world tour, it would happen again.” She even thanked her doctor, Dr Steven M Zeitels, a leading surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital , in an acceptance speech in 2012.

· the role of the speech language pathologist in the treatment

https://www.asha.org/policy/TR2005-00147/

·  Please also include any controversy about this disorder and treatment methods used

Short videos can be shown to further illustrate the disorder, however should be no longer than 2 minutes in length

Adele’s experience with polyps: In Adeles first interview since the surgery she said that she used an app that allowed her phone to voice what she typed into it, because she had orders to be silent for weeks after throat surgery. She said not speaking was very hard and that she loves talking so she would write on a pad to communicate. She said she found this app that you can swear on because she loves to swear. When Adele felt like something popped in her throat while she was singing she knew that something was wrong. She ended up finding out that she had a polyp on her vocal cord that had hemorrhaged. She said “I had laser surgery. They put lasers down your throat, cut off the polyp, and kind of laser your hemorrhage back together and fix it. In February of 2012 Adele performed at the Grammy Awards ceremony, but was not allowed to speak for most of November and December of that year after she underwent surgery. 

 her surgery (treatment)

A polyp had to be removed from her vocal folds and threatened to damage her sultry voice permanently. It was an extreme form of injury that anyone can get just by yelling too much. This occurred at a time when she said she had never sung so much in her life. The polyp was possibly caused by pervious damage that hadnt healed properly and may have been aggravated by the singers cigarette smoking. She had surgery November 7th at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to stop bleeding on a benign polyp on her vocal cords. A specialist in laryngeal surgery at Harvard, Dr. Steven Zeitels performed the operation. He expected that Adele would make a full recovery from her laser microsurgery. The operation was a success5d

 affect on her life

Adeles second album “21” sold nearly 17 million copies worldwide, and stayed on the top charts for longer than any album has for almost 20 years. Her voice “went: while she was singing live on French radio. She said “It was like someone put a curtain over my throat and I could feel it. It felt like something popped in my throat”. After her surgery and recovery she went on 60 Minutes and shared her voice with the world. Adele did not let this affect her life. When she sang on 60 minutes minutes, it was the first time since the surgery last November that she had sung for an audience. She says that she has never felt more confident in her singing and it made her realize her voice has its limits and she needs to be careful with overusing her vocal cords so she does not re-injure them again.