Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Voice, Swallowing, and Airway Disorders
Experts in treating the voice box and upper airway, we are one of the few laryngology centers in the world. Laryngology focuses on the larynx (voice box), which is responsible for three central functions: voice, swallowing, and breathing. When troubles occur here, our team offers the most advanced therapies that not only treat the problem, but also preserve your voice.
Overview
Under the direction of Phillip C. Song, MD, many of our patients are first seen by our laryngologists for a medical evaluation on the 9th Floor of our main campus. Then, depending on your diagnosis and the recommended treatment plan, you may be seen by one of our speech-language pathologists, who are located in the Voice and Speech Laboratory on the 11th Floor of our main campus.
With fellowship-trained laryngologists, certified voice therapists, and specialized testing and rehabilitation services all under one roof, we have everything you need to keep your voice and airway working for you.
Patient Resources
Matthew Naunheim, MD, MBA, and Elizabeth Banaszak, MA, CCC-SLP, discuss:
- When you should be concerned about your throat symptoms
- How you can improve your hoarseness from home
- How you can prevent vocal damage from frequent video and phone conferencing
If able, we ask that all patients come to their first visit with their medical records. This will help your physician make a more informed diagnosis. Patients will also be asked to participate in our Patient Reported Outcome Measurements (PROMS), which are questionnaires available through Patient Gateway and onsite.
Please note: Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are currently our multidisciplinary Voice Clinic days. This means a voice therapist is present during all laryngology visit to provide a speech-language pathology (SLP) assessment. An additional copay and visit precertification may be necessary. During these clinics, almost all patients will undergo a laryngoscopy and SLP assessment, which includes acoustic and aerodynamic measurements of the voice.
A laryngoscopy is a procedure that involves the insertion of a small endoscope through the nose or mouth to evaluate the vocal folds and larynx. Acoustic and aerodynamic testing are objective measurements of voice quality that involve recording air flow and voice recordings.
If these services are needed and not perfomed during your visit, you may need to return for further testing. Almost all patients undergoing laryngeal surgery will need these tests prior to surgery.
We know that navigating life with a laryngectomy can be overwhelming at first. Your life is changing and there are many new things for you to remember.
Our Laryngectomy Handbook is a guide to help you and your caregivers understand some of the tasks you will need to perform post-laryngectomy.
Meet Our Team
We bring together physicians, speech-language pathologists, and other healthcare professionals to provide treatment to patients suffering from voice and throat disorders. Collectively, we are among the world’s most experienced—and most successful—laryngology/voice and speech teams.
