The "singing-acting" child: the laryngologist's perspective--1995.

A survey of pediatric otolaryngologists about voice disorders in children suggests that approximately 1% of children examined were noted to have voice problems, and in only one fifth of these children (0.2%) were the voice problems related to professional use of the voice, such as singing. Direct flexible laryngoscopy was the sole method of examination for 80% of the children examined by these pediatric specialists. Voice therapy for 6 months was generally recommended (88%). The survey represents an estimated clinical experience of > 160,000 children per year, and it achieved a response rate of 40% of pediatric otolaryngologists (48/120). Results suggest that the use of video and stroboscopy for examination of the pediatric voice would enhance understanding and assure correct diagnosis and treatment.