Current Resarch Projects

Pediatric Voice Therapy

The purpose of the study is to look at how physical and mental development in children affect children’s response to a treatment for a common voice disorder called vocal fold nodules. The treatment is called Adventures in Voice (AiV). AiV is the current standard of care for vocal fold nodules at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and at the University of Delaware. Our study examines which cognitive and physical factors improve or reduce children’s response to treatment, hopefully creating a developmental roadmap of when children are most likely to benefit from voice therapy. 

Children may be able to participate if they: 

  • Are between 4-11 years old
  • Have a hoarse voice
  • Are typically developing 
  • Have a normal hearing
  • Are fluent English speakers
  • Have access to a computer with internet

For more information, please contact Taylor DiVirgilio at taylor.divirgilio@nemours.org or by phone at 302-333-1069. 

Identity and Voice

We are investigating the links between one’s identity orientation and one’s voice using an online survey that requires approximately 20 minutes to complete. We are seeking participants who fit within one of the following groups: 

  1. People who have a recent (within six months) diagnosis of vocal fold nodules and are currently symptomatic, pursuing voice therapy, but have had two or fewer sessions of voice therapy.
  2. People who identify as transgender or non-binary and are actively pursuing voice modification services but have had two or fewer sessions of voice modification services.
  3. People who have a recent (within six months) diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral vocal fold paralysis or paresis and are currently symptomatic, pursuing voice therapy, but have had two or fewer sessions of voice therapy.
  4. People who are cisgender (i.e., gender identity congruent with the gender assigned at birth) and vocally healthy (i.e., no history of voice disorders or laryngeal surgery).

If interested, please click below to access the survey: 

https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cI6cFQ8pNmf1YgJ