What is a Laryngologist?
Laryngology is the study of the larynx, or the human voice box. It is a growing and exciting area of medicine that marries the fields of medicine, surgery and performing voice.
Surgeons in this specialty area have completed the following steps to become a laryngologist:
- Medical school – four years
- Residency training in ear, nose and throat (otolaryngology) – five years
- Fellowship training in laryngology – one year
Laryngologists can focus their work on one or all of the following areas:
- Voice and singing disorders
- Swallowing disorders
- Upper airway disorders
Laryngologists work with other specialists to provide comprehensive care of these problems.
- Speech language pathologist: professionals with an undergraduate and graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders. In expert voice centers, the laryngologist works together with the speech and language pathologist in a team, and a treatment program for those suffering from voice and swallowing disorders is custom tailored. Treatment can range in frequency and length and focuses on training techniques and support mechanisms.
- Vocal coach: training is variable and ranges from an undergraduate degree in music to further post-graduate studies in voice. Vocal coaches may also work with laryngologists to assist in treatment of various voice concerns, particularly among singers. In some centers, vocal coaching techniques are not reserved for singers and may be utilized in other cases.
Having a voice or swallowing concern? Call DeFatta ENT & Allergy at (715) 828-2368 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our expert laryngologist, Dr. Rima DeFatta.
