Using a combination of medical and therapeutic strategies, the team at Mercy's Voice Clinic tailors treatment to the needs of the individual patient. A speech therapist works to educate patients about their voices, how sound is produced and how certain behaviors, such as smoking or consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, can damage the voice. "Education about the voice and how to care for it becomes extremely important for chronic vocal problems. People in occupations that require speaking, such as telemarketers or teachers, need to maintain vocal wellness," according to speech therapist Jacqueline Nagel. "The patient is an important part of the treatment team," adds Julia Goth-Avery, also a speech therapist at the Voice Clinic.