University of Utah Voice Disorders Center

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We are a multi-disciplinary clinic and clinical research facility serving the entire inter-mountain west. Our multi-disciplinary team consists of otolaryngologists, speech pathologists, a singing voice specialist and other medical professionals in related fields that specialize in providing comprehensive care of the voice. We provide the evaluation and diagnosis of voice problems and specialized treatment. The University of Utah’s Voice Disorders Center is also devoted to research and education related to health of the larynx (voice box) for both professional and non-professional voice users.

Free Voice Screenings

If you are concerned about your voice due to persistent hoarseness, effortful speaking, throat pain with voice use, reduced loudness, difficulty being understood by others, vocal fatigue, or other similar symptoms, please make an appointment to receive a free voice screening on May 31, 2012.

The voice screening includes answering questions about your voice problem and imaging of your voice box with a scope

To schedule your free voice screening, please call 801-587-3549. Schedule your screening today while slots are still available!

Download a questionnaire about your voice problem. Please print, complete, and bring page 2 with you to your appointment. It will save you time when you arrive for your free screening.

Invest In Your Voice

The Voice Disorders Center at the University of Utah is a multi-disciplinary center dedicated not only to the diagnosis and treatment of voice disorders, but also providing community education. We encourage everyone to assess their vocal health and take action to improve and maintain good voice habits.

Find out what you can do to keep your voice healthy.

Symptoms of voice disorders include discomfort or pain when talking, hoarseness, vocal fatigue, withdrawal from social situations, effortful talking, or difficulty being understood. Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment for some disorders often require a specialized team of professionals with the appropriate expertise and special equipment. Depending on the type of problem you are experiencing, your primary care physician or a general Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) physician might refer you to a specialized voice team.

Hoarseness can result from benign lesions (nodules, polyps, or cysts) on the vocal folds, paralysis, tremor, spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia, scaring, aging, laryngitis, laryngeal cancer, and other changes to the voice box. Hoarseness or voice changes can be the first sign of some types of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or a sign of laryngeal cancer. Therefore, it is important not to ignore persistent hoarseness (greater than 4 weeks) or voice changes.

Most people underestimate the importance of a healthy voice until difficulties develop. Disorders can be mild or severe enough to compromise employment opportunities, the ability to perform everyday activities such as grocery shopping and attending doctors' appointments, or social and emotional health. Excellent vocal health is especially crucial for professional voice users whose livelihood depends on the health, endurance, versatility, or beauty of their voices. The term professional voice user is most often associated with singers, acting professionals and broadcast personalities. However, teachers, politicians, clergy, salespeople, attorneys, telemarketers, receptionists, and wait staff are all professional voice users who rely on their voices each day.

What are the symptoms of most voice problems?

Hoarseness is one of the most common symptoms of voice problems. Other common symptoms of voice disorders include effortful talking, persistent pain or sore throat with voice use, reduced volume, chronic cough or throat clearing, and reduced vocal endurance.

What are some examples of voice disorders?

Some examples include recurrent laryngitis, vocal fold paralysis, presbylaryngeus (aging voice), papilloma, cancer of the vocal folds, benign essential tremor, vocal fold web, muscle tension dysphonia, and benign vocal fold growths such as polyps, nodules, cysts, and granulomas. There are also some breathing disorders that are related to the larynx (voice box) rather than the lungs. These disorders may or may not affect the voice, but are also treated at our center.

How are voice disorders treated?

The Voice Disorders Center at the University of Utah provides a number of different behavioral, pharmaceutical, surgical, and medical management options. A proper diagnosis and thorough evaluation are necessary prior to treatment planning.