Emory Voice Center

Treatments and services

At Emory Voice Center, we provide a range treatments and services for voice, swallow, and upper airway. Our center offers evaluation, treatment and related services all in one convenient location. We are also seeing patients at off-site locations for therapeutic intervention.

Evaluation of vocal disorders

Our multidisciplinary team of medical assistants, nurses, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Laryngologists will review your symptoms, medical history and examine your head and neck. We will comprehensively test and analyze your vocal quality and efficiency with your vocal requirements in mind.

Laryngeal videostroboscopy

Laryngeal videostroboscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope (a small tube equipped with a fiber optic camera.) with a stroboscopic light source so that a slow-motion video of your vocal cord vibration can be captured for analysis. This tube may be inserted in your mouth (similar to a toothbrush) or a flexible, much smaller version, may be passed through your nose with topical pain reliever. This allows your treating professionals to determine the nature of your voice problem and how it can be addressed. Most examinations take less than 2 minutes to complete and gather a wellspring of information to help address your difficulties.

Voice therapy

Voice therapy is an effective way to address many voice disorders. To that end, the Emory Voice Center employs a team of specialized voice therapists dedicated to optimizing a patient's voice. In many cases, voice therapy is the primary treatment used to address a patient's concern.

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

The FEES is an in-office swallowing procedure which allows a Speech-Language Pathologist to evaluate and analyze the function of your swallow. A flexible endoscope, or small and flexible tube, will be inserted into your nasal passageway for a tolerable vantage point of the swallow. A video is recorded to capture your anatomical and physiological function for swallowing. While the camera is in place, you may be given a variety of food and liquids to eat and drink. You may also bring in foods AND liquids that you routinely eat and drink for a more realistic look at your swallow. Most examinations take between 4 and 10 minutes.

Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)

A MBSS is completed in our endoscopy suite by appointment basis. With use of fluoroscopy (x-ray) technology, a high-definition, realtime video is taken to analyze your swallow function by minimally invasive means. You will be given a variety of consistencies of food and liquid coated with Barium. Barium is a naturally occurring mineral which shows up on x-ray and allows the Speech-Language Pathologist to analyze your swallow function. Most assessments are between 4 and 7 minutes in length.

High Resolution Pharyngeal Manometry (HRPM)

HRPM is sometimes performed concurrently with an MBSS if there is concern for weakness in your throat during swallow, or if there is a constriction of your upper esophageal sphincter (UES) which is the doorway to your esophagus from your throat. It is performed in our endoscopy suite with a Speech-Language Pathologist and Registered Nurse. A small pressure catheter is passed through the nasal passageway then swallowed to monitor for muscular activity during the swallow. You will be given several consistencies made up of Barium, a naturally occurring mineral which shows up on x-ray and allows the Speech-Language Pathologist to analyze your swallow function. Most assessments are between 4 and 7 minutes in length.

Microlaryngoscopy

A physician examines the vocal folds of the larynx with magnification tools. We conduct this procedure under general anesthesia.

Diagnostic laryngeal electromyography

This procedure measures the electrical activity of the laryngeal muscles. It can be used for several purposes, including prediction of recovery in patients with vocal fold paralysis.

Laryngeal Botox therapy

Botox offers one of the most effective treatments for spasmodic dysphonia. The drug softens and weakens vocal muscles, diminishing spasms.

Laryngeal microsurgery

A minimally invasive procedure that removes vocal fold nodules, polyps, or cysts. It offers highly effective results.

Laryngeal framework for surgery for vocal fold paralysis and atrophy

Often, vocal fold paralysis or atrophy requires surgery. In cases like this, we use a variety of techniques to improve breathing, swallowing, and voice.

Open airway surgery

Certain airway stenosis patients may be candidates for open airway surgery and reconstruction. Our physicians know when and how to intervene.

Voice and swallowing therapy for patients with head and neck cancer

Specialized speech pathologists provide evaluation, counseling, and therapy services to head and neck cancer patients. This includes diagnosed patients, patients undergoing treatment and patients who have completed treatment.

Exercise programs can reduce the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. They promote improved swallow to enhance the quality of life during and after treatment.

Endoscopic airway surgery

We can address many difficulties with narrowing of the upper airway through the mouth without external incisions. We perform many of these endoscopic interventions on an outpatient basis. This reduces disruption to your life.

Transnasal esophagoscopy

In some situations, we perform transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) in our clinic. TNE helps check for difficulties in swallowing. Adding sedation can comfort you while we perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Awake KTP laser therapy

We are the only facility within a 150-mile radius that offers this innovative option for treatment of vocal fold lesions. Patients can receive this treatment in the office without sedation."