Introducing the Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center
University Hospitals has established the Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center, Ohio’s full service resource dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal, voice and swallowing disorders.
Led by Director Nicole Maronian, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained laryngologist with nearly a decade of experience, the Center employs an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to patient care providing treatment regimens that are designed and delivered by specialist teams from otolaryngology and speech pathology.
“Otolaryngologists and Speech Language Pathologists are specifically trained in voice and swallow, yet we evaluate issues from differing perspectives,” says Dr. Maronian. “This provides the patients with the most comprehensive evaluation and discussion of treatment options, from conservative ones, such as speech therapy, to more aggressive ones, like surgery.”
The teams employ state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and, when necessary, call upon expertise from University Hospitals Case Medical Center Departments of Neurology, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary, as well as professional voice coaches.
“We have digital endoscopes with chip in the tip technology,” she says. “This gives us the best view of fine details of the vocal cords and improves our ability to diagnose and treat lesions. We also have transnasal esophagoscopes that allow us to view the entire esophagus and stomach without sedation or pre-medication.”
The Center focuses on treating vocal cord paresis and paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, swallowing disorders, hoarseness, breathing difficulties related to laryngeal or tracheal narrowing, surgery for laryngeal lesions, cricopharyngeal spasm Zenker’s diverticulum, and organ preservation surgery for laryngeal carcinoma.
“Our overall goal is increase services for patients with office-based procedures of the larynx and esophagus,” Dr. Maronian says. “This may include vocal cord injection, biopsy, treatment of laryngeal lesions, or esophageal diagnostic evaluation. We even have services to address lesions, which are early cancers, with office-based treatment.” Pediatric patients can also be seen and evaluated for voice or swallowing disorders by specialists from Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital that work with the Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center.
The Laryngology and Voice Disorders Center provides additional services including ancillary diagnostics (MRI, CT, etc.), prevention education programs, support groups, and long-term follow-up treatment.
The Center has voice and swallow clinics weekly with services offered both at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Chagrin Highlands locations.
Surgery and in-office procedures are scheduled by appointment.