Professional Voice Care
Singers, actors, lawyers, teachers, public speakers and broadcast journalists have one thing in common: They rely on their voice.
Whether in a concert hall, a theater, sound stage or lecture hall, professionals whose livelihood depends on their voice must take special care of their instrument. UCI Health voice experts understand the unique needs of these professionals. We provide state-of-the-art care to resolve voice problems.
The UCI Health Professional Voice Care Program is led by Dr. Sunil Verma, a fellowship-trained laryngologist who is board certified in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. The program is supported by a multidisciplinary UCI Health team, including gastroenterologists and speech therapists, to provide voice professionals with the full spectrum of care.
We are on call 24 hours a day to care for performers with urgent voice concerns. For assistance, please contact us at 714-456-7017.
There are a number of symptoms of a voice disorder. They can include:
- Difficulty speaking loudly
- Fatigue after using voice
- Hoarseness
- Limited pitch range
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- Pain when speaking or singing
- Tremors
- Voice breaking
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If you are suffering the above symptoms, you should be evaluated by one of our specialists for diagnosis and treatment.
Every treatment plan first begins with a diagnosis of your problem.
To get a better understanding of your voice concern, our otolaryngologists will review your medical history and perform a detailed physical exam. This exam will include voice-specific screenings.
Forming a diagnosis may involve other state-of-the-art testing, which includes:
- Videostroboscopy. This enables the physician to evaluate the throat and closely examine the vocal cords for abnormalities. We also use high-definition recording equipment to help patients get a better understanding of their condition.
- Laryngeal electromyography. This can help pinpoint abnormalities in the muscles that control the vocal cords.
- Acoustic tests. Acoustic testing measures airflow and voice quality.
- Advanced endoscopy. An endoscopy may sometimes be necessary to evaluate the airway and esophagus.
After we have diagnosed you, we work with you to form a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. We know that time is of the essence when it comes to treating voice disorders, particularly if your livelihood depends on it.
Minimally invasive treatments
We use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, including in-office procedures that do not require sedation or an overnight hospital stay.
If surgery is necessary, it is performed at the spacious and modern UCI Health Douglas Hospital at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.
Preserving tissue
Our physicians are highly trained to preserve tissue and prevent damage. We use leading-edge equipment and specialized instruments designed for vocal cord procedures.
We also use the most advanced lasers to treat vocal cord lesions, which allows us to target the disease site while protecting normal tissue and decreasing the likelihood of scarring.
Recovery plan
After treatment, the UCI Health Professional Voice Care team works with you to create a personalized recovery plan, including a timeline for voice rest and specialized care to help you return to full vocal health.
We know that time is of the essence when you have a voice concern.
Our physicians return emergency calls 24 hours a day and are available for telephone conferencing. In the case of professional performers, our specialists are able to make in-person visits for urgent consultations.
For touring performers and public speakers, we offer a baseline exam to serve as a permanent record of vocal health.
The record can be shared with physicians elsewhere in the event of an urgent need while on tour. This ensures that you receive the correct treatment, based on your personal history.
Our voice specialists also provide emergency consultation in partnership with performing arts centers.
To learn more, call us at 714-456-7017.