voice

Voice

Your Voice Disorders Specialists

Voice disorders affect your ability to speak and swallow correctly and indicate a problem with the larynx (voice box) and the vocal cords. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, we know that living with these disorders can be frustrating. Our specialists diagnose and treat disorders in order to help patients speak with confidence.

How Does The Voice Work?

In order to communicate effectively, you count on your voice to work properly. There are several important parts of the throat that help you make sounds to speak—the windpipe (trachea), larynx and vocal cords. Your larynx and vocal cords are located at the top front of your windpipe. As you breathe in air through your windpipe, your vocal cords vibrate and create sound. When the parts of the throat don’t work correctly, it’s difficult to create sound to speak. If there’s a disorder with the vocal cords, your ability to swallow can be impacted as well.

Types of Voice Disorders

Disorder symptoms include a weak or breathy voice, pain in the throat, loss of sound, hoarseness, trouble swallowing and more. There are many different disorders we treat that could be the cause of your symptoms, including:

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, which is usually caused by infection.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is attributed to chronic acid reflux. If left untreated, acid reflux can inflame the esophagus.

Sinusitis can cause inflammation, lead to a sore and scratchy throat and contribute to hoarseness.

Usually caused by overuse, these growths are typically noncancerous. Other causes include coughing, allergies and acid reflux.

Vocal cord paralysis refers to a dysfunction in the movement control of the vocal cords. In addition to making it difficult to talk, vocal cord paralysis also affects the ability to breathe.

Thyroid disorders can cause the vocal cord to thicken, causing the sound to be low and gruff.

These neurological disorders affect the muscles and can cause various problems.

Disorders can be an indicator of throat and larynx cancer.

Vocal fold dysfunction is a condition in which the vocal cords close, causing patients to struggle to breathe.

Diagnosing Voice Disorders in Richmond, VA

In order to efficiently treat your disorder, your Ear, Nose and Throat specialist will first need to diagnose your condition. We use the latest technology and techniques in the field to offer exceptional care and diagnostic services to our patients. After discussing your symptoms and conducting a thorough medical exam, your provider may recommend an additional examination including:

A videostroboscopy records the vibrations of the vocal cords while the patient speaks with a small telescopic device. We record the vocal cords to examine for inflammation, unusual motion or other indicators of a disorder. This quick procedure occurs while the patient is awake.

During this procedure, our specialist examines the vocal cords by placing a small tube down the nose and throat. This helps your provider get a better look at the vocal cords and can ultimately lead to a diagnosis.

Treating Voice Disorders

Our team prioritizes personalized care by creating individualized treatment plans. A patient’s treatment depends on the severity of the disorder, the area affected and any important factors noted during diagnosis. Some disorders go away on their own, and patients can help by resting or avoiding talking for a short period of time. Treatment options for more complicated disorders may include medication, speech or voice therapy or even surgery.