Voice and Swallowing Specialist in Orange County

Diseases and disorders that affect your throat can lead to a variety of voice and swallowing problems. The ENT experts at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, California, handle all types of voice and swallowing problems in patients of all ages. For comprehensive care of adult and pediatric voice and swallowing problems, call your nearest Southern California ENT office or book an appointment online today. We handle all types of voice and swallowing problems for patients of all ages from children to young adults and seniors.

What Are Voice and Swallowing Problems?

Many problems can affect your throat and prevent you from speaking or swallowing normally. The skilled team at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat evaluates and treats a wide range of voice and swallowing problems in children and adults, including:

• Hoarseness
• Laryngitis
• Vocal nodules
• Throat cancer
• Recurrent sore throats
• Tumors of the mouth and voice box
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Some of these problems are minor, and others are serious. If you or your child has difficulty swallowing or speaking, the team at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat can accurately diagnose the issue and create an individualized treatment plan.

What Are the Symptoms of Voice and Swallowing Problems?

Symptoms of voice and swallowing problems vary based on the underlying cause. Laryngitis may cause hoarseness and a raspy voice while the telltale sign of coup is a loud, barking cough.

Swallowing disorders may cause drooling, coughing, and choking when bits of food, liquid, or saliva pass into the lungs. Difficulty swallowing can also lead to weight loss due to insufficient nutrition.

How Are Voice and Swallowing Problems Diagnosed?

The voice and swallowing therapists at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat perform comprehensive evaluations for children and adults. They carefully review your medical history and symptoms. Then, they examine your throat, checking the muscle strength, reflexes, and speech.

Depending on what they find in the physical exam, your provider may take a variety of tests, such as:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• Barium swallow
• Laryngoscopy
• Esophagoscopy

These tests help your ENT doctor in Orange County determine the cause of a voice or swallowing problem so they can recommend the best course of treatment.

How Are Voice and Swallowing Problems Treated?

The team at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat provides personalized care that prioritizes the well-being of their patients. Depending on your specific condition, treatment for voice and swallowing problems may include:

• Performing therapeutic exercises for swallowing muscles
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Using a humidifier
• Resting vocal cords
• Taking medications

Some problems may require surgical treatment. The experts at SCENT – Southern California Ear, Nose, and Throat perform endoscopy as well as adult and pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.