There were over 30 Papers presented over the 2 very full days, from a range of UK and International specialists. Individual morning and afternoon sessions were chaired by well known and much respected people - John Rubin and Jan Svec, as well as Dr.Ruth Epstein and Philippa Ratcliffe from The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital.
Papers were presented on a wide range of Occupations that were likely to have a higher than normal vocal loading: Teachers (many studies from different parts of the world - Australia, Hong Kong, Spain, and Korea), Singers (from La Scala to Session singers), Broadcasters, and the Performing Arts.
There were excellent reviews of the current research and issues from Lesley Mathieson DipSCT, FRCSLT and currently Visiting Lecturer in Voice Pathology at the Ear Institute, UCL, Stephanie Martin PhD, FRCSLT City University and UEA, and Anne-Marie Laukkanen, PhD Professor of Speech Technique and Vocology and Head of Speech Communication and Voice Research at the University of Tampere, Finland.
The Ambulatory Phonation Monitor (APM) developed in the USA, for monitoring daily voice use, was described in detail by Robert Hillman, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Research Director of the Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Our VCN stand was a big success! The VCN provided excellent input into this first Symposium in the UK and will look forward to further contributions at future events.