Every patient is different. Unlike many other practices, Mount Sinai Health System laryngologists and speech pathologists work collaboratively to evaluate patients and develop an individualized treatment plan for vocal cord injury.
“Since much of what causes vocal cord injury is behavioral, it is important to include medical, surgical, and rehabilitative perspectives,” explains Sarah Brown, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center of Mount Sinai.
To assess the condition of your vocal cords, Mount Sinai uses videostroboscopy—a cutting-edge procedure that allows the care team to visualize the vocal cords in great detail. Similar to when your doctor uses a tongue depressor to see the back of your throat, a tiny instrument with a small camera is placed into the mouth. The laryngologist may also use a different technique using a flexible camera through the nose.
Voice Therapy: A Non-Surgical Approach to Care
Most patients benefit from voice therapy before pursuing surgical options. In some cases, voice therapy can eliminate or reduce the extent of surgery needed. Mount Sinai specializes in minimally invasive procedures. These include in-office laser and microlaryngoscopy, which uses high-energy beams of light to remove lesions under local anesthesia in the office.
During one-on-one treatment sessions, speech pathologists teach exercises that balance resonance, improve airflow, and enhance vocal technique. The goal of voice therapy, Ms. Brown explains, is for patients to learn to speak or sing in a new way that protects their vocal cords. The exercises allow patients to feel more confident in their conversational or singing voice.
Mount Sinai Voice Therapy Techniques
Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (lip trills, straw phonation, cup bubbles), which help manage airflow and resonance by teaching patients how to properly close their vocal folds without over-squeezing them.
Resonant hums/resonant voice therapy, which increases voice comfort by using gentle humming focused on vibrations in the lips and nose rather than the throat.
Flow phonation, which focuses on maintaining vocal balance through airflow using exercises such as saying “whoooooo” and watching a tissue blow in front of you.
Reducing muscular tension, in which patients are guided through laryngeal massage as well as tongue, shoulder, and neck stretches.
For more vocal health information from Ms. Brown, follow her on TikTok @vocalhealth and Instagram @vocalhealthskb. If you would like to see a medical professional regarding vocal strain or fatigue, make an appointment with the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center of Mount Sinai by calling 212-241-9410.