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Voice Disorders
Voice disorders affect how we sound or our ability to speak comfortably. Common voice issues range from temporary laryngitis to more persistent conditions like vocal cord nodules. These disorders can arise from overuse, infection, or underlying health problems.
Specific Conditions:
Hoarse Voice: Also known as dysphonia or change in voice that may make you sound breathy, raspy or strained, this could be a result of irritation, inflammation or injury to the vocal cords. This is normally temporary and resolves on its own but if it lasts longer than 2 weeks, it could be due to a serious issue and a review with a ENT specialist is advisable.
Vocal Cord Nodules: These are benign lumps on the vocal folds usually caused by voice misuse or abuse. These are usually managed with voice therapy following assessment by an ENT specialist and they almost never require surgery.
Vocal Cord Paralysis: his can affect one or both vocal cords. This causes the voice to become breathy and can affect swallowing and increase risk of aspiration. The commonest cause is injury during surgery, including thyroid, lung, vascular or upper oesophageal surgery. Occasionally there is no identifiable cause found. This can be managed with local and general anaesthetic vocal cord injection medialisation, thyroplasty. For a select group of patients, Ms Iacovidou may be able to offer laryngeal re-innervation using a donor local nerve.
Laryngeal Hypersensitivity: This can present as persistent throat clearing, chronic paroxysmal cough or laryngospasm.These symptoms are usually managed with therapy, however occasionally patients may benefit from surgical or medical interventions.
Spasmodic Dysphonia: This is a chronic voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the vocal cords, leading to sudden interruptions in speech and making the voice sound strained, breathy, or shaky. This can be manage with botox injections into the vocal folds under local or general anaesthetic.
Our clinic offers comprehensive treatment options tailored to each patient's needs, including voice therapy, minimally invasive surgeries, and lifestyle advice to ensure optimal vocal health.
What is flexible nasoendoscopy and stroboscopy?
Flexible nasoendoscopy: This is a flexible fiber-optic endoscope to visually examine the nasal passages, sinuses, nasopharynx, larynx (voice box), and hypopharynx (the area of the throat below the larynx). It allows doctors to inspect the upper airway structures in detail, enabling the diagnosis and assessment of a wide variety of conditions affecting the nose, throat, and voice box, including sinus issues, nasal obstructions, voice disorders, swallowing difficulties, and respiratory conditions.
Stroboscopy: This is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the vocal cords (or vocal folds) and their movement during speech or phonation. This technique involves the use of a strobe light and a special camera to capture slow-motion, high-resolution images of the vocal cords, allowing doctors to evaluate their vibration patterns and movement.Β
What is phonosurgery?
Phonosurgery is a procedure performed under a microscope using fine, microsurgical equipment. This is used in cases of vocal fold lesions including polyps, webs, papillomas and/or suspicious laryngeal lesions. This is typically recommended for individuals who have persistent voice problems that cannot be managed effectively with conservative treatments like voice therapy or medications.
How can I look after my voice?
After phonosurgery, voice rest is typically required for 72 hours to allow for healing and to avoid strain on the vocal cords.
Voice therapy is often recommended post-surgery to help patients regain optimal vocal function and improve voice quality.
Regular follow-up visits with you otolaryngologist or laryngologist are necessary to monitor the healing process and ensure that the vocal cords are functioning properly. Some of the common side effects, may be some discomfort, mild hoarseness, or temporary changes in voice quality immediately after surgery. These will settle with time as you recovery. We recommend drinking plenty of fluids and steaming to help healing. Vaping or smoking is not advisable in the post operative period.Β
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