Flexible Laryngoscopy for Voice Disorders
Do you or someone you care about have an upper airway or voice disorder? A flexible laryngoscopy is a valuable assessment tool that a Speech Pathologist may recommend to support planning and evaluation of progress in upper airway/voice therapy. Keep on reading to find out what is involved and why we use flexible laryngoscopy for upper airway/voice disorders.
What is a Flexible Laryngoscopy?
A flexible laryngoscopy, otherwise known as a functional laryngoscopy, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows health professionals like Speech Pathologists to examine the function of the larynx (voice box) and vocal folds in real-time. The procedure uses a flexible endoscope — a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera at the tip — that is inserted through the nose to provide a detailed view of the throat and voice box area.
The procedure is commonly performed by an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) or a Speech Pathologist with advanced training. At Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy, we provide functional laryngoscopy procedures from the comfort of our private clinic in Burpengary East. We use functional laryngoscopy in the assessment of a range of voice difficulties and related conditions, including muscle tension dysphonia, vocal fold paralysis, chronic cough, vocal cord dysfunction, laryngeal tremor, laryngeal hypersensitivity, functional voice disorders and more!
Why Is Flexible Laryngoscopy Important for Voice Disorders?
If you or someone you care for are experiencing voice changes or voice difficulties, it is important that a thorough assessment is completed by a Speech Pathologist. We always recommend getting an instrumental assessment, like a flexible laryngoscopy, to ensure detailed information is gathered to inform treatment planning.
Voice disorders can stem from a variety of causes, including overuse or misuse of the voice, infections, neurological conditions, or structural abnormalities in the larynx. Flexible laryngoscopy allows Speech Pathologists and Ear Nose and Throat Specialists to collaborate and determine the correct diagnosis and therapy approaches to use to address the condition.
Some benefits of flexible laryngoscopy for voice disorders include:
- Non-Invasive and Quick: Flexible laryngoscopy is relatively quick and minimally invasive, allowing for a faster assessment of voice function with less discomfort for the individual undergoing treatment.
- Detailed Visualisation: The camera and flexible nature of the scope enables Speech Pathologists to closely examine the vocal folds in different positions and under various conditions (e.g., during speech or singing). This detailed visualisation helps to support accurate assessment of the function of the voice and inform treatment planning.
- Real-Time Assessment: The ability to observe vocal cord movement during speech or phonation is crucial for understanding functional voice disorders, such as muscle tension dysphonia or paradoxical vocal cord motion.
Flexible laryngoscopy is an invaluable instrumental assessment for individuals experiencing voice disorders. By allowing Speech Pathologists to directly visualise the larynx and vocal cords in motion, it supports effective treatment planning to help you see results from your voice therapy.
Flexible Laryngoscopy does not replace clinical assessments performed by Speech Pathologists. Similarly, it does not replace instrumental vocal tract examinations performed by medical professionals. The purpose of the procedure is not to diagnose laryngeal pathology, rather to assess function.
If you are struggling with hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or other voice changes, and are based in North Brisbane, make an appointment with Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy today. Our team of senior Speech Pathologists with advanced training offer flexible laryngoscopy in-house at a private clinic in Burpengary East.