If you are experiencing voice, swallowing or airway problems, our team at the Orlando Health Voice and Swallowing Program is specially equipped to care for you. We are dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide range of disorders affecting your ability to communicate and swallow. Our highly skilled team includes a fellowship-trained laryngologist and specialized speech-language pathologists who focus on disorders of the throat and upper airway.

Swallowing difficulties and voice problems – including hoarseness and vocal fatigue – can be related to many underlying conditions. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with colleagues in neurology, pulmonology and digestive health to provide thorough diagnostics and comprehensive care. We care for individuals suffering from voice and swallowing disorders resulting from neurological conditions or cancers, including the effects of treatments like radiation. We understand that voice is essential to your life, and we will develop a care plan customized to your unique needs.

Symptoms

Swallowing and voice disorders cause a variety of symptoms that can greatly impact your life. Dysphonia is a term used for a voice disorder that results in an abnormal sound produced with speaking. This often is described as hoarseness, raspiness or having a weak or breathy voice. Dysphagia describes difficulty swallowing solid foods, liquids or tablets. Voice, airway or swallowing impairments also may include a cough, wheezing or an atypical sensation in the throat. We will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.

Diagnosis

Our expert team will thoroughly evaluate your condition, using the latest diagnostic tools and techniques. We start with a detailed examination of your medical history and symptoms.

For voice-related disorders, a stroboscopy may be performed to examine your vocal cords as they vibrate and produce sounds. In this exam, a small camera is inserted through your nose or mouth and gently guided to the back of your throat to observe your vocal cords in action. After the brief evaluation, your care team will review the results with you and explain next steps. Additional tests or therapeutic interventions may be recommended.

To diagnose swallowing disorders, your team may use a variety of advanced imaging tools. Flexible laryngoscopy with an assessment of swallowing may be performed to better understand the anatomy and function of the throat, as well as your swallowing mechanics. Additional tests might include CT/MRI imaging, esophagrams and modified barium swallow. During a radiographic swallowing test, you will be asked to swallow a variety of food and drink, guided by a swallowing therapist, to evaluate your ability to swallow.

Transnasal esophagoscopy also is offered, and you can be awake or sedated for this procedure. During this procedure, a flexible camera is passed through your nose and into the esophagus and stomach. This gives our experts a better understanding of the health and function of your digestive tract below the throat. Additional procedures, such as biopsies and dilations, also may be necessary.

Treatments

After diagnosis, your dedicated team will work with you to develop a care plan customized to your unique needs.

Treatment options include:

• Laser treatment of vocal cord irregularities
• Minimally invasive vocal cord surgeries
• Open and endoscopic surgeries
  • Zenker’s diverticulum
  • Cricopharyngeal dysfunction
  • Esophageal stenosis
  • Tracheal/subglottic stenosis
• Specialized swallowing therapy
• Specialized voice therapy
• Steroid treatment of subglottic stenosis
• Vocal cord injections, including augmentation/vocal cord filler, Botox and steroid injections