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Voice and Swallowing Disorders

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913-588-1227

People develop vocal and swallowing disorders for many reasons, from vocal abuse to allergies to cancer. Our physicians have access to the industry's most advanced diagnostic tools to help determine the cause of these problems.

Established in 1991, The University of Kansas Health System’s voice and swallowing disorders team has helped hundreds of adults and children with conditions that affect their voices and swallowing.

What are voice and swallowing disorders?

Voice and swallowing disorders can refer to any one of a number of conditions that affect voice or swallowing ability. There are many different types of voice and swallowing disorders that can affect the larynx (voice box) and its ability to function properly.

We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.

Types of voice and swallowing disorders

  • Dysarthria (a speech disorder caused by an injury to the nervous system)
  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • Dysphonia
  • Hoarseness
  • Laryngeal cancer
  • Laryngeal clefts (defect in the separation between the voice box and the esophagus)
  • Laryngeal fractures and scarring
  • Laryngeal voice disorders
  • Laryngitis
  • Laryngomalacia (The soft cartilage of the upper larynx, or voice box, collapses inward during inhalation, making it difficult to breathe.)
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux (Stomach acid moves back up through the esophagus into the throat.)
  • Muscle tension
  • Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
  • Reinke's edema (swelling or buildup of fluid)
  • Sulcus vocalis (a groove in the vocal cord folds)
  • Tracheoesophageal puncture
  • Vocal fold granuloma (noncancerous growth on vocal folds)
  • Vocal fold scarring
  • Vocal cord nodules, polyps and cysts
  • Vocal cord paralysis

Voice and swallowing disorders symptoms and risks

Symptoms that are often associated with voice and swallowing disorders include:

  • Chronic throat-clearing
  • Feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
  • Hoarseness or loss of voice (laryngitis)
  • Postnasal drip or excessive mucus in your throat
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat

Voice and swallowing disorders diagnosis and screening

Diagnosis begins with a detailed history and a thorough physical examination. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs may be performed. Your doctor may also recommend some additional tests:

  • This test measures irregularities in sound produced by the movement of vocal folds.

  • Vocal cord movement is measured through a noninvasive device that is strapped around the neck.

  • Small needle electrodes are inserted into voice box muscles to evaluate the health of the muscles and nerves.

  • Air is pushed through a small, flexible tube into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach) to determine its ability to generate sound.

  • A small probe is placed through the nose and into the stomach. The tube is connected to a computer that displays readings on muscle contractions.

  • A flexible tube with a light at one end and a camera at the other is inserted into the nose and into the middle of the throat. Pictures of the throat and voice box are taken as the patient swallows liquid and food.

  • This is performed as an add-on to the FEES test. Air pulses are delivered through the tube to evaluate swallowing ability and sensation.

  • A flexible tube with a light at one end and a camera at the other is inserted into the nose to allow doctors to view the vocal folds.

  • A catheter is placed through the nose into the throat to videotape the swallowing motion and to measure muscle contraction, strength and coordination of swallowing muscles.

  • A tiny mirror is placed at the back of the throat so doctors can inspect vocal folds.

  • A thin probe is placed through the nose into the throat to measure acid levels.

  • An in-clinic test where a thin tube with a camera is placed through the nose to throat and esophagus so the physician can view and assess swallowing problems.

  • As the patient swallows liquid or foods, X-rays are taken of the mouth, throat and esophagus. These show whether food and liquid are passing efficiently from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus.

  • This procedure uses high-speed flashes of light to produce images of vocal folds in slow motion. Physicians and speech therapists study the detailed images to form accurate treatment plans for patients with voice disorders.

  • We can evaluate the voice and develop a treatment plan for professional actors, singers, voice talent and other patients. Our speech pathologists also provide voice therapy.

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Voice and swallowing disorders treatments

In recent years, knowledge about how the voice functions has grown rapidly. This has led to increasingly effective treatments for both common and rare conditions.

Our voice and swallowing disorder physicians are the region's only specialists performing laser surgery for voice box cancer. They are recognized throughout the region as pioneers in the research and development of highly specialized surgical equipment and techniques.

Because there are many causes of voice and swallowing disorders, treatment is extremely customized based on your individual needs. Some problems can be treated with rest and fluids. Your physician may also recommend:

  • BOTOX® injections to decrease muscle spasms
  • Comprehensive management of the professional voice
  • Laser surgery
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medication
  • Reconstruction of the larynx
  • Surgery of the laryngeal framework
  • Surgery to remove lesions or other obstructions
  • Swallowing surgery
  • Swallowing therapy
  • Vocal fold injection (injections augment the vocal cords, decreasing the space between them)
  • Voice therapy
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Our hospital continues to rank as the best in Kansas City and in Kansas according to U.S. News & World Report.
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The University of Kansas Hospital has been designated a Magnet® facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2006.
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Named a leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

Your voice and swallowing disorder care team

Our team consists of experienced, highly trained professionals. They include:

  • A laryngologist (otolaryngologist) who specializes in larynx (voice box) and swallowing problems
  • A pediatric otolaryngologist who diagnoses and treats infants, toddlers and adolescents with feeding and swallowing difficulties
  • A neurologist who specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
  • Speech-language pathologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with speech, swallowing and voice disorders
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