{"id":186,"date":"2019-06-20T12:28:23","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T16:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easterncarolinaent.fm1.dev\/voice-disorders\/"},"modified":"2020-03-31T18:27:23","modified_gmt":"2020-03-31T22:27:23","slug":"voice-disorders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/easterncarolinaent.com\/ent\/throat\/voice-disorders\/","title":{"rendered":"Voice Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
There are numerous factors that can cause problems with the voice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hoarseness may also result from swelling, chronic irritation, or a learned pattern of muscle tension with voicing. These common factors can create persistent hoarseness that does not simply go away with time. In addition, certain benign or cancerous growths can occur on the vocal cords and cause alterations in the voice and sometimes swallowing. If a patient experiences ongoing hoarseness that lasts for several weeks, the patient should see a doctor for a thorough evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An evaluation for a voice disorder usually begins with a visit to the Ear, Nose, and Throat physician. The physician may order a videostroboscopic examination to access the structure and function of the patient’s larynx (voice box).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Videostroboscopy uses modern video and digital imaging technology to examine the voice box during the production of voice. The study gives high-resolution video images of the voice box in slow motion, so that the vocal cord may be carefully studied. This also provides a nice opportunity for each patient to see his or her voice box and have a better understanding of his\/her voice problem. This study is performed at Eastern Carolina ENT Head & Neck Surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the videostroboscopic evaluation has been completed, the physician will confirm a diagnosis and implement a plan of care to best treat the voice disorder. Treatment of voice disorders ranges from speech therapy to medical therapy or even surgical therapy, depending on the particular diagnosis. In many cases, speech therapy is the only form of treatment required. Speech therapy is appropriate for patients with vocal nodules, muscle tension dysphonia, vocal misuse or overuse, patients with weakness of their vocal folds, and patients who are post-op from surgery for their vocal cords, as well as numerous other problems with the voice. Speech therapy is catered to the specific diagnosis for each patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speech therapy may include any of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Speech therapy<\/strong>\u00a0is often initiated with home exercises given the same day as the videostroboscopic examination. Follow-up with formal office visits may be indicated by each patient’s specific needs and diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n