Amanda Klopper Speech Therapy

28/08/2026

There are lots of winter bugs around at the moment! A cough, cold, or throat infection can irritate and inflame your delicate vocal folds which sit inside your larynx (voice box). Even after you start feeling better, your voice may remain hoarse, strained, or tired for several days or weeks. If you are getting better from a cold, flu, or cough, good vocal care can help your voice recover!

Tips for a Healthy Voice
✅ Drink Plenty of Water
- Drink throughout the day
- Water helps to keep the vocal folds moist and reduces irritation.
✅ Rest Your Voice
- Use your normal speaking voice at a comfortable volume.
- Take regular voice breaks during the day.
- Reduce unnecessary talking when your voice feels tired.
✅ Manage Coughing and Throat Clearing
- Try sipping water, swallowing, or taking a gentle breath instead of repeatedly clearing your throat.
- Frequent coughing and throat clearing can further irritate the vocal folds.
✅ Use Steam or Humidification
- Inhaling steam from a warm shower or using a humidifier may help soothe a dry or irritated throat
- Don’t add anything! Oils can irritate
✅ Maintain Good General Health
- Get adequate sleep and rest.
- Eat a balanced diet and stay physically active as you recover.
✅ Text to Speech apps
- If you lose your voice consider exploring Text to Speech apps that are available on your app store!

Things to Avoid
❌ Whispering
Whispering can place extra strain on your vocal folds.
❌ Shouting or Talking Over Noise
Avoid yelling, cheering, or speaking loudly for extended periods.
❌ Smoking and Va**ng
These can irritate the throat and slow vocal recovery.
❌ Excessive Caffeine and Alcohol
These may contribute to dehydration in some people.
❌ Medicated Lozenges
- Ingredients like menthol and peppermint are meant to clear nasal passages, but they reduce the protective mucous secretions needed to keep your vocal folds lubricated
- Some may have mild anaesthetics that numb pain or scratchiness, that can cause a false sense of comfort resulting in speaking more causing micro-damage
- Instead - you can suck on hard candy

When to Seek Further Advice
Please consult your GP if:
- Hoarseness lasts longer than 3 weeks.
- Your voice continues to worsen.
- You experience pain when speaking.
- You have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- You notice unexplained voice changes.

Remember
Most voices recover well with rest, hydration, and time. Be gentle with your voice while it heals, just as you would rest an injured muscle.

Workplaces with multiple people away sick, schools with both teachers and students recovering - flu season in New Zealand is underway, and surging.

27/07/2026

Communication access is a safety issue, an equity issue, a safeguarding issue and a human rights issue.

People need to be able to express their needs, choices, pain, distress, consent, and preferences; report harm; challenge decisions; and be heard.

NZSTA is calling for communication access to be built into health, education, disability, justice and aged care services.

Safe to eat. Free to communicate.

13/06/2026

How is it only three more weeks until the end of the term!

I will be working in the Mangawhai Osteopathy space both weeks of the school holidays, and in the Rodney Street Clinic on the 17th of July. If you would like to book in for a session, follow the link!

If you are super organised feel free to book in sessions for Term 3 as well!

06/06/2026

Before you employ, refer or fund speech-language therapy, ask whether the SLT is NZSTA-registered. Speech-language therapy is not regulated under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act in Aotearoa New Zealand. Instead, the profession is self-regulated through the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association.

NZSTA registration provides an important layer of public protection. Registered speech-language therapists must meet qualification and professional standards, complete ongoing professional development, make annual declarations about their practice, and follow NZSTA’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Employing a registered speech-language therapist helps ensure the person you engage is qualified, current, accountable and committed to safe, ethical and culturally responsive practice.

26/05/2026

I have finally managed to set up online booking! Follow this link -
https://amanda-klopper-speech-therapy.splose.com/online-booking/2ec7da8c-7f04-4671-aacd-054a5a3d6007

It is a good time to book in if you have been thinking about an assessment or therapy session because there are a few empty slots on Thursday afternoons, in Mangawhai, and Friday afternoons, in Wellsford.

16/04/2026

World Voice Day — 16 April 🗣️💙

Our voices are part of how we communicate, express identity, and connect with others - and everyone’s voice is unique.

Speech-language therapists support a wide range of voice and communication needs, including individuals with voice difficulties, those seeking gender-affirming voice support, professional voice users, and people who use AAC or other forms of communication.

We also play a role in promoting vocal health and supporting safe, sustainable voice use across the lifespan.

This World Voice Day, we recognise and respect all voices — and all forms of communication. 💙

08/04/2026

This new study has some interesting findings for our late talkers

11/03/2026

Mondays for Change is our weekly call for action on the gaps that need fixing:

About 83,000 New Zealanders live with dementia now, heading towards ~170,000 by 2050 — yet there is almost no dedicated SLT resource. Funding 10 dementia specialist SLTs nationwide would help people stay connected, independent, and safe for longer.

👉 speechtherapy.org.nz/advocacy

15/02/2026

My kids found my animal bag today, so we currently have a zoo/aquarium on the lounge floor! These toys are such a great resource that so many of the beautiful little people that I work with enjoy!

09/02/2026

What a way to start the school year! I have spent some time this morning with the passionate kaiawhina at Mangawhai Beach School. We chatted about my role, communication and that it can look different for different children, and the ways we can support their beautiful learners.

Send a message to learn more