We see a wide range of vocal problems, some with visible signs in the larynx, some without any obvious lesion.

Anything that changes the way you normally talk or sing can be a voice problem. The sound of your voice is created by a complex system of nerves, muscles, cartilage, and bone all working together.

Voice problems can result from a variety of medical conditions, medication, acid reflux, post-nasal drip, or voice overuse. Some voice disorders are serious and complicated, but others are relatively straightforward to diagnose and treat.

A few of the disorders that we treat at the Duke Voice Care Center are listed below. Click on a condition for more information.

• Aging voice
• Cancer affecting the voice
• Chronic hoarseness
• Laryngitis
• Leukoplakia
• Muscle tension dysphonia
• Nasality problems
• Parkinson’s disease
• Spasmodic dysphonia (SD)
• Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD)
  
• Vocal nodules/polyps/cysts
• Vocal fold hemorrhage
• Vocal fold paralysis

Because vocal symptoms may be related to a variety of medical, voice use, environmental, and dietary factors, a thorough evaluation by experienced voice specialists is needed to get the best outcome for your voice.

As with most voice conditions, treatment will likely involve a combination of medical management and voice therapy. Sometimes surgery may be required to remove lesions that develop on the vocal folds (vocal cords) or to “bulk up” the vocal folds to achieve good closure for speaking.

Surgery Options

Click a link to learn more about surgical techniques for treating voice problems.

• Voice surgery: Removal of polyps and cysts on the vocal cords
• Fat augmentation: Injection of fat from the belly area into the vocal cords
• Goretex augmentation: Injection of Goretex into the vocal cords
• Botox injection: Treatment for spasmodic dysphonia

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Cohen, Seth M.
• Scher, Richard L.
• Witsell, David L.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Otolaryngology of Raleigh
  Duke Medicine Plaza 3480 Wake Forest Road, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27609
• Duke Otolaryngology, Head and Neck, ENT
  Duke Clinic 1H, Purple Zone, 200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710