The Center for Voice at
Northwestern University
The Center for Voice allows for the complete evaluation and treatment of patients with voice, airway, and swallowing disorders among an interdisciplinary team composed of laryngologists (laryngeal surgeons) and speech-language pathologists. Our treatment philosophy is patient-centered, and we work to identify causative factors contributing to the voice disorder as well as addressing components that may benefit from medical or surgical interventions.
The Center for Voice
The Center for Voice at Northwestern University is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Northwestern Medicine Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Our purpose is:
- To advance the state of the art of clinical laryngology through coordinated care and the introduction of emerging technologies and research
- To provide a foundation for education of patients, primary care physicians, residents and interns in all areas related to voice disorders
- To foster collaborative interdisciplinary basic and applied research in laryngology
Contact Us
For more information or to request an appointment in downtown Chicago, contact the Center for Voice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 312.695.8182.
Meet The Team
Downtown Chicago
Services
Services available through our facilities include:
- An integrated research program involving both clinical and basic science research
- Comprehensive evaluation and care for all voice, airway, and swallowing disorders
- Comprehensive treatment options including voice therapy, in-office procedures, and surgeries
- Coordinated clinic for botulinum toxin injection of patients with laryngeal dystonias
- Digital videostroboscopy
- Educational services
- Laryngeal electromyography
- Multidisciplinary care for complex airway diseases through the Canning Thoracic Institute
- Standardized referral patterns for patients in need of evaluation by Gastroenterology, Neurology, Allergy, Pulmonary Medicine, Voice and Speech Trainers and Singing Coaches
- State-of-the-art surgical services at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for laryngeal microsurgery and laryngeal framework surgery
- Voice therapy provided by specially trained speech-language pathologists
Conditions
Airway
- Airway stenosis
- Bilateral vocal cord paralysis
- Glottic stenosis
- GPA-associated subglottic stenosis
- Idiopathic subglottic stenosis
- Laryngotracheal stenosis
- Posterior glottic stenosis
- Shortness of breath
- Subglottic stenosis
- Supraglottic stenosis
- Tracheal and Bronchial Stenosis
- Tracheostomy dependence
- Trauma of larynx
Voice
- Breathing problems due to vocal cord dysfunction (ILO, PVFM)
- Gender affirming voice care
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Laryngeal dystonia
- Laryngeal papilloma
- Laryngocele
- Muscle tension dysphonia
- Pre-cancerous vocal cord lesions (dysplasia)
- Singing voice issues
- Spasmodic Dysphonia
- Specialized care for singers and voice professionals
- Vocal cord atrophy
- Vocal cord cancer
- Vocal cord disorders
- Vocal cord nodules, polyps, & cysts
- Vocal cord paralysis or weakness
- Vocal cord scar
- Vocal disorders
- Vocal tremor
- Voice change or hoarseness
Swallow
- Cricopharyngeal dysfunction
- Trouble swallowing
- Zenker's diverticulum
Treatments
In-office
- Botox injections for spasmodic dysphonia or tremor
- Bronchoscopy with steroid injection to subglottic & tracheal stenosis
- Flexible nasolaryngoscopy
- Injection augmentation for vocal cord paralysis
- Laryngeal nerve blocks for chronic cough
- Laryngeal stroboscopy
- Specialized voice, swallow, & respiratory retraining therapy by certified Speech-Language Pathologists
Surgery
- Awake laser-assisted ablation of vocal cord lesions
- Cricotracheal resection & airway reconstruction
- Endoscopic & open cricopharyngeal myotomy
- Endoscopic & open Zenker's diverticulectomy
- Endoscopic airway surgery
- Endoscopic laser surgery
- Gender affirming vocal cord surgery
- Microflap excision of vocal cord lesions
- Minimally invasive (endoscopic) laser excision of vocal cord cancers
- Phonomicrosurgery
- Thyroid cartilage reduction/Tracheal shave
- Thyroplasty
- Tracheal resection & airway reconstruction
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Nationally recognized in Ear, Nose & Throat (No. 16)
Prepare for Your First Visit
We know that getting ready for your first visit can be stressful. Learn how to prepare for your first appointment.
Related Resources
The following information is provided by affiliated members of the Center for Voice at Northwestern, the Department of Otolaryngology, and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders:
- How the Larynx (Voice Box) Works
- Laryngitis from Reflux: Prevention for the Performing Singer
- Benign Vocal Lesions - Nodules, Polyps and Cysts
- Spasmodic Dysphonia
- Vocal Habits
- Medications that May Affect the Voice
- Vocal Fold Histology
The following information is provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inc:
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