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Treating Voice Disorders

The Voice Disorders Center at University of Utah Health provides many management options for voice disorders (behavioral, pharmaceutical, and surgical). Our team of specialists is trained in the latest technology in the following:

  • Voice disorders
  • Airway disorders
  • Swallowing disorders

Conditions We Treat

Voice Disorders

  • Neurogenic voice disorders
  • Muscle tension dysphonia/functional dysphonia
  • Performance voice/singers
  • Presbyphonia/aging voice
  • Resonance disorders
    • Velopharyngeal insufficiency
  • Throat lump/globus sensation
  • Chronic throat pain (four weeks or longer duration)
  • Vocal nodules, polyps, cysts, and other benign lesions

Airway Disorders

  • Chronic airway obstruction
  • Chronic cough
  • Laryngeal and tracheal papillomatosis
  • Paradoxical vocal fold motion (such as vocal cord dysfunction, or VCD)
  • Subglottic stenosis

Swallowing Disorders

  • Dysphagia
  • Aspiration and related pulmonary complications
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Throat lump/globus sensation
  • Upper esophageal disorders
    • Zenker’s Diverticulum
    • Cricopharyngeal achalasia (CP bar)

Services

Our services include both assessments from our entire team as well as services individually by each provider in the Voice Disorders Center. Team-based assessments enable improved efficiency and cost savings for individuals requiring complex care for voice and airway problems.

Speech-Language Pathology

  • Behavioral assessment of:
    • speaking and singing voice
    • chronic cough
    • breathing and paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM or VCD)
  • Behavioral therapy for voice, airway, and swallowing disorders
  • Gender diverse communication support
  • Clinical evaluation of swallowing disorders
  • Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
  • Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) Study
  • Office stroboscopy and nasoendoscopy (larynx, airway)
  • Laryngeal function studies
  • Post-operative voice care
  • SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd®
  • Telehealth therapy services

Laryngology

  • Stroboscopy and nasoendoscopy (larynx, airway)
  • Airway assessment
  • Procedures of the laryngopharynx
    • Botulinum toxin therapy for dystonia and tremor
    • Laryngeal electromyography (EMG)
    • Vocal fold augmentation injection

Surgical Specialty Procedures

    • Vocal fold medialization procedures
    • Biopsy
    • Vocal fold microsurgery
    • Reinnervation
    • Vocal fold reconstruction
    • Microsurgery and laser surgery

Vocal Coach

  • Assessment of singing and performance voice use
  • Singing or performance voice lessons

Pulmonology

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    Related Specialists

    Lynn Maxfield, PhD

    Lynn Maxfield has a PhD in voice pedagogy and an MA in voice performance from the University of Iowa. He worked as post-doctoral research fellow at the National Center for Voice and Speech in summer 2011.

    Why Choose University of Utah Health

    Our team provides exceptional and comprehensive voice, swallow, and airway health care to children and adults through innovative research, education and personalized attention to all we serve. We strive to create an enduring, trusting relationship with compassion, respect, and commitment to exceptional patient care through expert interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment. 

    Our team consists of experts from the disciplines of: 

    We offer state-of-the art and evidence-based assessment and treatment options, including medical, pharmaceutical, surgical, and behavioral therapy approaches.

    Diversity & Mutual Respect

    We value diversity and mutual respect. Our team is committed toward supporting and cultivating experts/leaders in voice, airway, and swallowing disorders. We value honesty, open communication, team-based activities, mutual respect/support, positive solution-based problem-solving and patient-centered care. Our clinic resides in an academic medical center that takes pride in advancing our clinical practice through research, education, teaching, and service.

    Lonnie, singing voice patient

    Patient Sings Again Thanks to Vocal Chord Surgery and Therapy

    Lonnie Stevens loved to sing and was often complemented on her beautiful soprano voice until four years ago when congestion, inflammation, and swelling in her throat left her short of breath and unable to hold a tone. Singing became difficult and her high notes became squeaks. Over time, Lonnie’s speaking voice grew hoarse, prompting several well-meaning friends to ask what was wrong with her voice. “I didn’t sound like myself,” says Lonnie. “It was really depressing thinking I might never sing again.”

    Read Lonnie's Story