For more than a year, Miranda Malone’s voice would fade in and out every other week, making it nearly impossible to run her business. As an aesthetician and owner of Essential Rejuvenation Medical Esthetics, her voice wasn’t just part of her personality; it was essential to her livelihood. “When my voice went out, my business would suffer,” she shared. Karaoke nights disappeared, and the fear of something serious, like throat cancer, began to grow.
The right diagnosis, explained simply
After months of frustration and incorrect advice, Miranda was referred by a friend to Christopher Rayle, MD, at SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis. Dr. Rayle specializes in general otolaryngology (ENT) and laryngology and played a fundamental role in Malone’s recovery. Instead of rushing through the visit, he explained every step of the exam Malone needed to find the source of the situation. The culprit wasn’t acid reflux, as she had been told before. It was muscle tension where the muscles of the larynx near her vocal cords were working harder than they should. The best part? It’s treatable.
Therapy over treatment
Rather than prescribing pills or recommending surgery, Dr. Rayle suggested voice therapy with a speech pathologist. This approach teaches patients to use proper breathing and muscle techniques to reduce strain. For Malone, that meant she would need to relearn how to speak from her diaphragm instead of forcing sound from her throat, a simple but powerful change.
From Dr. Rayle’s diagnosis, Malone finally felt a sense of relief. “I feel so much better knowing that it’s not cancer,” she said. “I appreciate Dr. Rayle’s communication style. He has a great bedside manner.”
A community of care
Stories like Malone’s are reminders that specialized care can restore not just health but hope and livelihood. “I’m so grateful for care that listened and explained,” she said. If you or someone you know struggles with voice issues, learn more about our ENT services and speech therapy programs. Expert care can make all the difference.
