Matthew Hoffman with simulated patient in the Otolaryngology clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Speech, Voice, and Swallowing Disorders

UI Health Care specialists treat laryngitis, dysphagia, vocal cord dysfunction, and many other conditions of the larynx and throat.
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Speaking and swallowing are incredibly complex processes. Trouble swallowing (dysphagia), chronic laryngitis, and other disorders of the throat or voice box (larynx) can have a major impact on your day-to-day life. 

University of Iowa Health Care’s team includes experienced otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists who specialize in speech, voice, and swallowing disorders. 

Your whole care team is focused on improving your health and quality of life.

An expert team, working together for you

Our otolaryngologists collaborate with other UI Health Care experts to provide the treatment you need. 

Speech, voice, and swallowing disorders can arise in the lungs, brain, gastrointestinal tract, and other systems of the body.  

Depending on your condition, your treatment team might include the following specialists in addition to your otolaryngologist: 

They work together to create your treatment plan and coordinate your care.

The most advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments

UI Health Care specialists draw on years of experience and an array of leading-edge technology to choose the best way to treat your condition. We offer a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

Many procedures, such as laser treatments of the larynx, can be performed right in your otolaryngologist's office without the need for surgery.

If you do need a surgical procedure, our team is highly skilled in performing minimally invasive surgeries and precision microsurgeries.

Members of our team are also involved in research aimed at better patient experiences and better outcomes for speech, voice, and swallowing disorders. You may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial that offers you access to innovative new treatments.

Speech, voice, and swallowing disorders tests and treatments

  • 24-hour esophageal pH test 
  • Biopsy 
  • Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) 
  • Carbon dioxide laser treatment 
  • Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study 
  • Endoscopic laser cricopharyngeal myotomy 
  • Endoscopic Zenker's diverticulectomy 
  • Esophagoscopy 
  • Laryngeal phonosurgery 
  • Laryngoscopy 
  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) program 
  • Microsurgery 
  • Minimally invasive surgery 
  • Modified barium swallow study 
  • Potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser treatment 
  • Speech-language pathology evaluation 
  • Speech therapy 
  • Stroboscopy 
  • Swallowing therapy 
  • Thyroplasty 
  • Tracheostomy 
  • Transnasal esophagoscopy 
  • Ultrasound 
  • Videolaryngoscopy 
  • Vocal cord injections 
  • Vocal cord medialization 
  • Vocal fold injections 
  • Voice therapy

Speech, voice, and swallowing disorders conditions treated

  • Leukoplakia (mouth lesions) 
  • Lump in throat 
  • Multiple sclerosis 
  • Myasthenia gravis 
  • Papilloma 
  • Parkinson's disease 
  • Spasmodic dysphonia 
  • Stridor (noisy breathing) 
  • Stroke 
  • Subglottic stenosis (narrowing of the airway) 
  • Vocal cord dysfunction 
  • Vocal cord paralysis 
  • Vocal cord scarring 
  • Vocal nodules 
  • Vocal polyps 
  • Zenker's diverticulum

Our Care Team

Henry T. Hoffman, MD portrait

Henry T.
Hoffman
MD

  • Otolaryngology
4.88 out of 5 (1,080 ratings)
Matthew Hoffman, MD, PhD portrait

Matthew
Hoffman
MD, PhD

  • Otolaryngology
4.82 out of 5 (527 ratings)
Douglas Van Daele, MD portrait

Douglas
Van Daele
MD

  • Otolaryngology
4.61 out of 5 (1,447 ratings)
Serena Chipara, MS, CCC-SLP portrait

Serena
Chipara
MS, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
Scott Dailey, PhD portrait

Scott
Dailey
PhD

  • Otolaryngology
Laura Farley, MS, CCC-SLP portrait

Laura
Farley
MS, CCC-SLP

  • Neurology
  • Otolaryngology
Sarah Haas, MS, CCC-SLP portrait

Sarah
Haas
MS, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
Hayley Levenhagen, MS, CCC-SLP portrait

Hayley
Levenhagen
MS, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
Erin Logan-Yildirim, MS, CCC-SLP portrait

Erin
Logan-Yildirim
MS, CCC-SLP

  • Cancer
  • Otolaryngology
MM

Mary Alice
Miller
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
Brian Peterson, MA, CCC-SLP portrait

Brian
Peterson
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
AS

Amber
Stumpf
M.A., CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology
Brandon L. Viet, MA, CCC-SLP portrait

Brandon L.
Viet
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Otolaryngology

Need help choosing an otolaryngologist?

When you call us, we'll connect you with an otolaryngologist who specializes in speech, voice, and swallowing disorders.
Call 1-319-356-2201 Request an appointment Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Otolaryngology Clinic (2 PFP)
21291 Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)
Level 2, Elevator L
1-319-356-2201
Clinic
Otolaryngology Clinic at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center University
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Patient Stories

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Educational Resources

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Manage secretions with a tracheostomy
How to clean a tracheostomy tube
How to change a tracheostomy tube
Tracheostomy home care