Voice and Swallowing Disorder Services

Why Choose Us

• We are the best at what we do, and our patients and peers recognize our vast expertise. Ear, nose and throat physicians from all over the state refer their most difficult-to-treat and complex cases to the University Voice & Swallowing Center.
• To treat your voice and swallowing issues, we use the latest and best equipment available. If it's the most advanced technology around, rest assured that we have it.
• Our physicians are researchers who regularly travel to teach other doctors around the country and the world, as well as conduct clinical trials. You benefit by gaining access to the latest treatments before anyone else.
• We are the only academic and multidisciplinary voice and swallowing center in Orange County.

Conditions

Our voice and swallowing experts treat all conditions affecting the vocal folds, vocal cords and surrounding structures, including:

Diagnosis & Treatment

Our team is devoted to accurately diagnosing your voice or swallowing problem, then treating it effectively.

Your treatment begins with a thorough exam. Our otolaryngologists review your medical history and perform a detailed physical exam. Depending on your symptoms, there may be some tests to measure airflow, voice quality and to examine the anatomy of the voice box, throat and mouth.

Treatments

After you have been diagnosed, our physicians will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.

Treatments we offer include:

Voice therapy

Most patients with voice and speech disorders make significant progress during vocal therapy and voice behavioral modification sessions with our trained speech pathologists.

Speech therapists play a vital role in helping patients regain full use of their voice. These professionals teach patients how to change the way they produce vocal sounds.

Often, the therapeutic techniques used in voice therapy accelerate healing after vocal cord injury or surgery. Voice therapy often is the primary strategy to correct voice disorders, but it can be combined with other therapies, including surgery or medications.

Our Team

Our ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians — known as otolaryngologists — are among the best in the country at what they do. Several have been recognized by their peers for their vast expertise, while patients regard them highly for their skill and compassion.

Dr. Sunil Verma leads our UCI Health voice and swallowing disorders team, as well as our Professional Voice Care Program.

Core team members include:

• William B. Armstrong, MD 
• Roger Crumley, MD

We collaborate closely with other specialists, including gastroenterologists, radiologists and psychiatrists provide further care for you.

Assessing voice and swallowing disorders requires advanced technology and specialists in both the physical and emotional aspects of these conditions.

Our staff includes:

• Therapists with expertise in treating voice problems, as well as rehabilitation following surgery for cancer or other disorders of the larynx (voice box)
• Speech therapists who assist in rehabilitation of the voice and swallowing
• Psychologists, social workers and other professionals who offer our patients emotional and strategic support