Introduces Faith N. Metsan story (recurring character from the book). Core definition: hoarseness = (1) unwanted air leak through vocal cords, or (2) irregular leak of air through vocal cords. “That is it. That is the essence and foundation of my entire book.” Every hoarse patient has one of these two problems or a combination. Both can be heard and seen. References the book.
Migration note: Essential content for Part I “Two Types of Hoarseness” page.
Home›Clinical & Educational›A Standard Examination of the Human Voice Standard Laryngeal Examination — An adequate assessment of the human voice, particularly pre- and post-surgery. Ideally two parts: audio recording and visual endoscopic examination including stroboscopy. Audio examination parameters: Speech (10-second standard reading passage), Maximum phonation time at comfortable pitch, Lowest pitch (stepwise glide), Highest pitch…
Home›Clinical & Educational›Summary of Vocal Capabilities Vocal capabilities pattern matching — the most substantive blog post. Four patterns: (1) Vocal cord margin swellings (impairment at low volume, high pitch = lower right quadrant), (2) RLN paresis anterior branch (low pitch, low volume = lower left), (3) Vocal cord bowing (impairment at low volume across range),…
Home›Clinical & Educational›Frog in Your Throat? The founding post of the blog — mirrors the book’s thesis. Getting a hoarseness diagnosis can be “a long, tough process.” Patient stories: “The explanation for my hoarseness doesn’t make sense” and “I have tried so many treatments without success.” Key message: “A hoarse person with a voice that…
Home›Clinical & Educational›UEP Podcast — Identifying Voice Disorders Podcast with Dr. Shiying Hey (Union of European Phoniatricians). Topics: background in laryngology starting in high school with physics/sound; three-part diagnostic approach (history, voice examination, endoscopy); compensatory behaviors; lifestyle factors (coffee, alcohol); references the 2012 book and voicedoctor.net. Download link included.
Home›Clinical & Educational›Thyroid Surgery Guidelines for Voice Evaluation — Letter to JAMA OTO Letter to editor submitted to JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery in response to Shonka & Terris (2016). Argues that current AAO-HNS and ATA guidelines are insufficient — vocal capability recording before and after any thyroid/parathyroid surgery is the gold standard. Vocal…
Home›Clinical & Educational›A Standard Examination of the Human Voice Standard Laryngeal Examination — An adequate assessment of the human voice, particularly pre- and post-surgery. Ideally two parts: audio recording and visual endoscopic examination including stroboscopy. Audio examination parameters: Speech (10-second standard reading passage), Maximum phonation time at comfortable pitch, Lowest pitch (stepwise glide), Highest pitch…
