Voice Center
Our Greenwich-based center offers state-of-the-art care for those suffering from voice and swallowing disorders. The Voice Center provides sophisticated and expert care to all of our patients, including professional and performing vocalists, public speakers, executives, teachers, and clergy as well as to those with more routine or recreational vocal aspirations.
Individuals experiencing any of the following symptoms may benefit from an evaluation: raspy or hoarse voice, voice strain, voice spasms, reduced pitch range, voice pitch breaks, aging voice changes, difficulty swallowing, frequent throat clearing, or the sensation of a lump in one’s throat (globus sensation).
Receiving the right diagnosis is the most important step on the road to vocal recovery. Our voice experts perform comprehensive evaluations utilizing the latest technologies, including laryngeal videostroboscopy, laryngeal electromyography (EMG), and vocal acoustics analysis software to ensure an accurate and precise diagnosis.
Our Approach
Our patients receive coordinated care from a team of voice experts with advanced training in the full spectrum of voice and swallowing disorders. Each patient’s care is led by a laryngologist who works closely with a team of speech-language pathologists. Our laryngologists are Yale Medicine ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physicians with additional specialization in treating the larynx, voice, and related problems such as swallowing. Speech-language pathologists are clinically trained, state licensed, and certified (by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association) in voice and speech analysis. A voice rehabilitation regimen incorporates the principles of vocal hygiene, behavioral modification, circumlaryngeal massage, and alternative therapies.
Using the latest technologies, including laryngeal videostroboscopy, our patients can visualize the mechanics of their own larynx in high definition and slow motion, allowing them to more fully understand treatment options and outcomes.
We offer voice therapy (exercises) and medical management as an alternative to surgery whenever possible and appropriate. However, if a procedure or surgery is indicated, our surgeons use the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques. Our specialists from Yale Medicine offer several advanced treatments performed in the office. In-office procedures include KTP laser ablation, vocal augmentation injection, EMG (electromyography), and botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections. Patients benefit from effective same-day treatments that require local or no anesthesia.
Above all, we treat our patients with dignity and compassion.
Our Services
Conditions we treat:
- Aging voice: age-related changes such as voice roughness, elevated pitch, and reduced projection or volume
- Laryngitis: inflammation of the larynx and vocal folds, usually causing hoarseness and sore throat
- Muscle tension dysphonia: hoarseness or discomfort from improper use of muscles around the larynx during speech or singing
- Spasmodic dysphonia: involuntary muscle contractions resulting in a strained or nervous sounding voice
- Vocal tremor: involuntary rhythmic movements resulting in quavering or trembling
- Swallowing disorders: dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or odynophagia (pain when swallowing)
- Vocal cord dysfunction: uncoordinated vocal fold movements, which can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, throat tightness, hoarseness, or voice changes
- Vocal nodules, cysts, and polyps: benign growths or lesions on the vocal folds that can impair normal vibration and cause hoarseness
- Laryngeal papilloma: Growths related to HPV (human papillomavirus) involving the lining of the larynx or vocal folds, which can cause hoarseness
- Vocal fold paresis and paralysis: impaired vocal fold motion due to nerve damage or dysfunction, which can cause a breathy voice quality and/or vocal fatigue
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux: irritation of the throat and larynx caused by acid and/or non-acid reflux
- Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (R-CPD/No Burp Syndrome): a condition in which the cricopharyngeus muscle doesn’t relax to allow air to exit the stomach and esophagus
