Voice Disorders

Your primary healthcare provider may diagnose a voice disorder, or they may refer you to a speech-language pathologist or laryngologist (a doctor who specializes in disorders of the voice box). They perform a thorough physical exam and evaluate your symptoms and medical history. Your healthcare provider may ask you questions about how your voice challenges are affecting your life at home, work or school.

Your healthcare provider will look very closely at your face, head, neck and throat while you perform speaking or breathing exercises. Report any physical symptoms you feel during these exercises. Tell them if you have pain, scratchiness or difficulty breathing.

If you do see a speech-language pathologist, this provider will likely perform detailed tests to assess different aspects of your voice, including tone, pitch and volume.

To see how well your voice box and vocal cords are working, your healthcare provider may recommend imaging tests. A laryngoscopy uses a special tool called a laryngoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a video camera attached) to examine the back of your throat. During this test, they may also perform a biopsy. Your healthcare provider takes samples from nodules, polyps or cysts and examines them under a microscope to check for diseases.