Voice disorders affect how the vocal cords function and can lead to changes in voice quality, effort, and stamina. Symptoms may include hoarseness, vocal fatigue, breathiness, strain, or difficulty projecting the voice. While some voice changes are temporary, persistent symptoms require specialist assessment to identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Voice problems can arise from inflammation, vocal overuse, neurological conditions, structural abnormalities of the vocal folds, or airway-related disorders. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure treatment is targeted and effective.
Expert Voice Disorders Treatment
Voice disorders affect how the vocal cords function and can lead to changes in voice quality, effort, and stamina. Symptoms may include hoarseness, vocal fatigue, breathiness, strain, or difficulty projecting the voice. While some voice changes are temporary, persistent or progressive symptoms require specialist assessment to identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Voice problems may arise from inflammation, vocal overuse, neurological conditions, structural abnormalities of the vocal folds, or airway-related disorders. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure treatment is targeted, effective, and appropriate for the individual’s vocal demands.
Ms Aprhrodite Iacovidou provides specialist assessment and management of voice disorders within her laryngology practice, supporting patients whose voice issues affect daily communication, professional performance, or quality of life.
What Are Voice Disorders ?
Voice disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting the vocal folds and the muscles and nerves that control them. These conditions may impact speaking, singing, and conditions affecting swallowing function, and can significantly affect quality of life if left untreated.
Common presentations include persistent hoarseness, voice instability, vocal fatigue, effortful speech, and changes in pitch or volume. Early specialist assessment helps distinguish between benign voice conditions and those requiring medical or surgical intervention.
Conditions commonly managed include:
- Hoarse voice (dysphonia)
- Vocal cord nodules and polyps
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Spasmodic dysphonia
- Laryngeal hypersensitivity
- Chronic throat clearing
- Voice changes following surgery or nerve injury
- Voice problems in professional voice users (teachers, singers, speakers)
Expert Voice Disorders Treatment
Management of voice disorders focuses on preserving vocal function while addressing the underlying cause. Assessment includes a detailed clinical history, evaluation of voice use and symptoms, and advanced diagnostic techniques such as flexible nasoendoscopy and stroboscopy to assess vocal fold structure, movement, and vibration.
Treatment plans are individualised and may involve conservative management such as voice therapy, delivered in collaboration with specialist speech and language therapists. Where appropriate, medical treatment or procedural intervention may be recommended.
Procedural options may include vocal fold injections, botulinum toxin therapy for spasmodic dysphonia, or phonosurgery for structural vocal fold lesions. For selected patients with vocal cord paralysis, advanced surgical options such as thyroplasty or laryngeal re-innervation may be considered.
Care is delivered with continuity from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, ensuring patients understand their condition, recovery expectations, and long-term voice care.
Why Choose Ms Aphrodite Iacovidou for Voice Disorders Treatment
Ms Aphrodite Iacovidou FRCS (ORL-HNS) is a Consultant ENT Surgeon specialising in laryngology, upper airway breathing disorders, and airway disorders, with extensive experience managing complex voice conditions in both adults and children. She is a substantive Consultant at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, based at Charing Cross Hospital.
Her practice combines specialist diagnostic expertise with a thoughtful, patient-centred approach to treatment. Patients benefit from clear explanations, careful decision-making, and access to both conservative and advanced surgical options when required.
With clinics in West and Central London, Ms Iacovidou provides specialist voice care for patients seeking expert assessment, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment delivered to the highest clinical standards.
FAQs
When should I see a specialist for a voice disorder?
You should seek specialist assessment if hoarseness, voice strain, vocal fatigue, or changes in pitch or volume persist for more than three weeks, worsen over time, or affect your ability to work or communicate. Professional voice users such as teachers, singers, and speakers should seek earlier review. Persistent voice symptoms may indicate inflammation, nerve involvement, or structural changes that require targeted treatment.
How are voice disorders diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a detailed history of your symptoms, voice use, and any associated throat or breathing issues. Assessment typically includes examination of the vocal cords using flexible nasoendoscopy and, where appropriate, stroboscopy to evaluate vocal fold movement and vibration. This allows accurate identification of conditions such as nodules, paralysis, or spasmodic dysphonia and helps guide the most effective treatment plan.
Can voice disorders be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many voice disorders are successfully managed without surgery. Treatment may include voice therapy delivered with specialist speech and language therapists, medical management of inflammation or reflux, and vocal technique optimisation. The aim is always to preserve and improve vocal function using the least invasive approach possible, particularly for patients with high vocal demands.
What treatments are available if conservative management is not enough?
If symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment, procedural options may be recommended. These can include vocal fold injections, botulinum toxin treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, or phonosurgery for structural vocal cord lesions. In selected cases of vocal cord paralysis, advanced procedures such as thyroplasty or laryngeal re-innervation may be considered following specialist assessment.
Who provides specialist voice disorders treatment in London?
Voice disorders are treated by ENT surgeons with specialist training in laryngology. Ms Aphrodite Iacovidou is a Consultant ENT Surgeon specialising in voice and airway disorders, offering expert assessment and personalised treatment plans for patients in West and Central London, from diagnosis through long-term voice care.
