Vocal abnormalities. What listening can tell you.

"The human voice is the organ of the soul," said Longfellow. It can also serve as a mirror of the physical and mental problems that affect not only the vocal mechanism but the rest of the body. We should strive to become more aware of this--and that our ears can be, at times, as important a diagnostic tool as our eyes. Mastery of the art of listening to vocal abnormalities will enable the clinician to determine which patients he or she can treat at the outset and which require immediate referral to a laryngologist or other specialist. An experienced listener often is able to diagnose vocal problems prior to a laryngeal examination.