Refractory chronic cough: the SLP’s role, per ASHA
ASHA says that refractory chronic cough “is most commonly treated by speech-language pathologists (SLPs),” and that SLPs “play a central role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of RCC.” This page quotes ASHA only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: ASHA’s Practice Portal page Refractory Chronic Cough.
ASHA’s Practice Portal pages are written for clinicians. Quotes below stop before ASHA’s in-text research citations.
What refractory chronic cough is
ASHA states: “The scope of this page is limited to refractory chronic cough (RCC), and the focus is on the adult population.”
ASHA describes RCC as a cough that lasts more than 8 weeks in adults and more than 4 weeks in children up to 14 years old despite best practice medical assessment and treatment (paraphrased).
Roles ASHA lists for SLPs
- “Screening individuals who present with signs and symptoms of RCC and determining the need for further assessment and/or referral to other services based on patient needs.”
- “Conducting a comprehensive assessment.”
- “Educating and counseling people with RCC and their care partners.”
- “Educating other professionals on the needs of people with RCC and the role of SLPs in diagnosing and managing RCC.”
ASHA adds that SLPs should be familiar with swallowing disorders and voice disorders, recognize red flag symptoms that warrant evaluation by a physician, and make referrals as needed (paraphrased).
What this page does not do
It does not repeat ASHA’s prevalence figures, symptom list, or treatment techniques. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, device, or product. Scope of practice is set by state law; check your state board.