SLP Sanjay Kumar : An Expert In Voice Disorders & Advocate Of Innovative Therapeutic Interventions
Dr. SLP Sanjay Kumar
Speech Language Patho- logist & Audiologist
Among these leaders stands SLP Sanjay Kumar, a distinguished graduate of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, where he ranked 2nd nationally in entrance exams. His passion for voice disorders emerged early, shaping his commitment to innovative voice therapy beyond traditional methods.
Armed with a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Mysore, Kumar embarked on a career defined by compassion, expertise, and a pursuit of excellence. His journey led to the founding of the Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center in Bangalore, a sanctuary blending expertise with empathy, offering personalized care focused on restoration and empowerment.
Under Kumar's guidance, the Center has become a beacon of hope for many facing speech, language, and hearing challenges. His approach combines deep scientific knowledge with a profound respect for each patient's journey, reflecting a rare blend of clinical acumen and humanistic understanding.
In an exclusive interview with CEO Insights, SLP Sanjay Kumar shares insights into his career, motivations, and the philosophy driving his groundbreaking work. Let’s read on.
Can you describe the most frequent voice and speech disorders you see in your practice? What methods do you use to assess and diagnose these voice disorders in your patients?
At our center, we frequently encounter a range of voice and speech disorders. Common issues include highpitched voices in males post-puberty (puberphonia), hoarseness and breathiness resulting from vocal cord paralysis (both unilateral and bilateral), loudness problems, nonfluent speech (stammering), sudden voice loss with normal vocal cords (functional aphonia), and various voice disorders related to phonatory gaps, sulcus vocalis, vocal abuse, muscle tension dysphonia, and spasmodic dysphonia. We also assist individuals seeking to enhance their already normal voice and provide hearing evaluations and aid fittings.
Our diagnostic approach begins with a perceptual evaluation and a thorough history of the problem. We then conduct acoustic analysis and standard tests. For more detailed examination, particularly in cases of complex communication disorders, we may recommend a laryngoscopy or stroboscopy to a laryngologist to assess vocal cord structure and function. These assessments guide us in accurately diagnosing and formulating appropriate treatment plans.
Could you elaborate on the effective treatment methods you employ for voice disorders? How does technology contribute to the assessment and treatment of these disorders in your practice?
The human voice relies significantly on factors such as vocal cord mass, length, tension, and the resonating cavity (vocal tract). In treating pitch and loudness issues, our approach focuses on uncovering and enhancing the natural voice characteristics based on these physiological elements, particularly in cases of functional voice disorders. Additionally, we prioritize promoting vocal hygiene through lifestyle adjustments based on each patient's history. When necessary, we collaborate with other healthcare specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Technology plays a crucial role in our practice, aiding in acoustic analysis through computer software. Procedures like laryngoscopy and stroboscopy provide detailed insights into vocal cord structure and function. We utilize cameras to document audiovisual changes before and after treatment, offering visual evidence of progress that inspires and motivates our patients.
Could you share a particularly challenging case of voice disorder you've encountered in your career and how you addressed it?
One particularly challenging case I recall involved a 26-year-old man from London who had been struggling with puberphonia, a high-pitched, feminine voice for 12 years. He visited our Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center in Bangalore, India, on October 8, 2014, after numerous consultations with speech therapists and ENT specialists in London proved ineffective. He chose our center after seeing success stories and before- and - after treatment videos on our YouTube channel, SLP Sanjay Kumar - Voice Therapist.
He had only four days in India and came with high hopes. During his acoustic voice analysis, we discovered his mean pitch was 175 Hz, significantly higher than the normal range of 100-150 Hz for adult males. This finding reflected the frequency at which his vocal cords vibrated per second.
Given the short timeframe and his high expectations, I felt considerable psychological pressure. We used laryngeal manipulation techniques and guided him through vowel-based exercises at his comfort level. By the fourth day, he was able to speak in sentences with a lower-pitched voice following multiple therapy sessions. His mean pitch dropped to 125 Hz, a normal range for adult males. When he called his parents post-treatment, they didn’t recognize his new voice. This was a moment of great accomplishment for us and significantly boosted our global recognition. His success story is now prominently featured on our YouTube channel's homepage.
What are some common misunderstandings people have regarding voice disorders and their treatment, and how do you work to clarify them? How do voice disorders impact an individual's quality of life, and how do you address these impacts in therapy?
There is a misconception that a naturally high-pitched voice in adult males cannot be corrected, and that voice disorders can only be treated with medication or surgery. In reality, many voice disorders are effectively managed through non-surgical methods like voice therapy.
To dispel these myths, we actively raise awareness through success story videos on our social media platforms, TV interviews, and magazine features highlighting our profession and the effectiveness of our treatments.
Voice disorders can significantly impact confidence and social interactions, especially when an adult male speaks with a feminine voice, leading to potential social stigma and difficulties in professional settings. Addressing these issues through therapy not only improves voice quality but also boosts confidence and reduces the negative social impacts associated with voice disorders.
Could you share a particularly challenging case of voice disorder you've encountered in your career and how you addressed it?
One particularly challenging case I recall involved a 26-year-old man from London who had been struggling with puberphonia, a high-pitched, feminine voice for 12 years. He visited our Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center in Bangalore, India, on October 8, 2014, after numerous consultations with speech therapists and ENT specialists in London proved ineffective. He chose our center after seeing success stories and before- and - after treatment videos on our YouTube channel, SLP Sanjay Kumar - Voice Therapist.
We Aim To Boost Global Awareness Of Voice Disorders & Their Nonsurgical Treatments, Promote Medical Tourism To Attract A Worldwide Audience, & Launch Training Programs To Develop The Skills Of Emerging Speech Language Pathologists
He had only four days in India and came with high hopes. During his acoustic voice analysis, we discovered his mean pitch was 175 Hz, significantly higher than the normal range of 100-150 Hz for adult males. This finding reflected the frequency at which his vocal cords vibrated per second.
Given the short timeframe and his high expectations, I felt considerable psychological pressure. We used laryngeal manipulation techniques and guided him through vowel-based exercises at his comfort level. By the fourth day, he was able to speak in sentences with a lower-pitched voice following multiple therapy sessions. His mean pitch dropped to 125 Hz, a normal range for adult males. When he called his parents post-treatment, they didn’t recognize his new voice. This was a moment of great accomplishment for us and significantly boosted our global recognition. His success story is now prominently featured on our YouTube channel's homepage.
What are some common misunderstandings people have regarding voice disorders and their treatment, and how do you work to clarify them? How do voice disorders impact an individual's quality of life, and how do you address these impacts in therapy?
There is a misconception that a naturally high-pitched voice in adult males cannot be corrected, and that voice disorders can only be treated with medication or surgery. In reality, many voice disorders are effectively managed through non-surgical methods like voice therapy.
To dispel these myths, we actively raise awareness through success story videos on our social media platforms, TV interviews, and magazine features highlighting our profession and the effectiveness of our treatments.
Voice disorders can significantly impact confidence and social interactions, especially when an adult male speaks with a feminine voice, leading to potential social stigma and difficulties in professional settings. Addressing these issues through therapy not only improves voice quality but also boosts confidence and reduces the negative social impacts associated with voice disorders.
Regarding vocal cord paralysis, which often results in hoarse, breathy, or soft voice, common causes include bacterial or viral infections, trauma, and procedures like thyroidectomy. This condition may lead to a phonatory gap - a space between the vocal cords during speech- resulting in inefficient air usage and affecting voice quality.
In therapy, our approach aims to enhance voice quality by stimulating the paralyzed vocal cord or adjusting the position of the normal vocal cord to reduce the phonatory gap. This process not only improves voice production but also restores confidence and alleviates the social and professional challenges caused by vocal cord disorders.
What are the initiatives you have undertaken to reach people suffering with these impairments in remote areas? What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center?
To extend our reach to individuals with communication disorders in remote areas, we have implemented telerehabilitation techniques. This approach allows us to provide treatment for certain voice disorders through a hybrid model, where initial therapy sessions are conducted at our center, followed by remote sessions via telerehabilitation.
Looking ahead, our future plans for Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center involve several strategic initiatives. We aim to boost global awareness of voice disorders and their non-surgical treatments, promote medical tourism to attract a worldwide audience, and launch training programs to develop the skills of emerging speech-language pathologists. Additionally, we plan to expand our services by opening new branches to further extend our reach and impact.
SLP Sanjay Kumar, Speech Language Pathologist & Audiologist, Sanjay Speech Hearing & Rehabilitation Center
Sanjay Kumar is a skilled Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist with a strong academic foundation, including a B.Sc. (Hons) in Speech and Hearing from AIIMS New Delhi and an M.Sc. in Speech Lan - guage Pathology from the Uni - versity of Mysore. Specializing in the non-surgical management of voice and speech disorders such as dysphonia due to vocal cord paralysis, puberphonia, func - tional aphonia, and stammering, he is dedicated to enhancing patients' lives through advanced, evidence-based therapies. Hail - ing from Shubhankarpur, Bihar, his journey reflects a deep com - mitment to his field and continu - ous learning.
•Hobbies: Reading books, watching movies
•Favourite Cuisine: Sattu ke parathe and litti chokha
•Favourite Book: My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
•Favourite Travel Destination: Goa
In therapy, our approach aims to enhance voice quality by stimulating the paralyzed vocal cord or adjusting the position of the normal vocal cord to reduce the phonatory gap. This process not only improves voice production but also restores confidence and alleviates the social and professional challenges caused by vocal cord disorders.
What are the initiatives you have undertaken to reach people suffering with these impairments in remote areas? What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center?
To extend our reach to individuals with communication disorders in remote areas, we have implemented telerehabilitation techniques. This approach allows us to provide treatment for certain voice disorders through a hybrid model, where initial therapy sessions are conducted at our center, followed by remote sessions via telerehabilitation.
Looking ahead, our future plans for Sanjay Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Center involve several strategic initiatives. We aim to boost global awareness of voice disorders and their non-surgical treatments, promote medical tourism to attract a worldwide audience, and launch training programs to develop the skills of emerging speech-language pathologists. Additionally, we plan to expand our services by opening new branches to further extend our reach and impact.
SLP Sanjay Kumar, Speech Language Pathologist & Audiologist, Sanjay Speech Hearing & Rehabilitation Center
Sanjay Kumar is a skilled Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist with a strong academic foundation, including a B.Sc. (Hons) in Speech and Hearing from AIIMS New Delhi and an M.Sc. in Speech Lan - guage Pathology from the Uni - versity of Mysore. Specializing in the non-surgical management of voice and speech disorders such as dysphonia due to vocal cord paralysis, puberphonia, func - tional aphonia, and stammering, he is dedicated to enhancing patients' lives through advanced, evidence-based therapies. Hail - ing from Shubhankarpur, Bihar, his journey reflects a deep com - mitment to his field and continu - ous learning.
•Hobbies: Reading books, watching movies
•Favourite Cuisine: Sattu ke parathe and litti chokha
•Favourite Book: My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
•Favourite Travel Destination: Goa