Voice & Throat

Your doctor may want to take a closer look at your vocal cords or larynx, commonly known as the voice box. If that is the case he or she may use an endoscope, or a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. This procedure is called a laryngoscopy and is used to see if there is a blockage in the throat or to diagnose a more serious condition.

Sometimes the vocal cords can become damaged, paralyzed or weakened from overuse, injury or a medical condition. Vocal cord injections are used to help improve voice production and the swallowing function. Injections may be given in one or both vocal folds and can usually be provided in the office. However, this treatment may not be right for everyone.

Performed in conjunction with a laryngoscopy, a stroboscopy is used to evaluate and assess the vibration and movement of the vocal cords. This exam can give your doctor a detailed picture of the vocal cords and what may be impacting their performance.

Many diseases or conditions can cause dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Our ENTs use a range of diagnostic techniques to check and evaluate swallowing – whether it’s a physical examination or Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, or FEES.

For patients who have failed conventional management of hoarseness, SCENT has a special voice/swallowing diagnostics clinic where a more extensive work up may be undertaken. Chronic conditions not responding to medications can also be addressed such as chronic cough, frequent throat clearing, vocal tremor or pain with speaking or singing.