Your voice plays an essential role in how you communicate and express yourself. When hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or pain interferes with your ability to speak, it can affect every part of your daily life. At Rancho Ear, Nose & Throat, we offer specialized voice care services designed to diagnose and treat a wide range of voice conditions, helping you regain clarity, comfort, and confidence in your voice.
What Are Voice Disorders?
Voice disorders occur when the vocal cords (or vocal folds) don’t work properly, often due to inflammation, strain, or structural abnormalities. Whether caused by overuse, infection, reflux, or neurological issues, these conditions can be effectively managed with proper diagnosis and care.
Common Voice Conditions We Treat
At Rancho ENT, our board-certified otolaryngologists, Dr. Ashish Wadhwa and Dr. Jennifer MacEwan, provide advanced evaluation and treatment for a full spectrum of voice disorders, including:
Diagnosing Voice Conditions
Accurately diagnosing a voice disorder begins with understanding your story. During your visit at Rancho ENT, your doctor will start by discussing when your voice changes began, what symptoms you’ve noticed, and any possible triggers such as illness, allergies, emotional stress, or overuse of your voice. You’ll also be asked to describe how your voice has changed—whether it feels hoarse, raspy, breathy, strained, quieter, or different in pitch.
Your doctor will also review lifestyle factors that can contribute to voice issues, including smoking, heartburn, allergies, or frequent speaking or singing. A thorough physical exam of the ears, nose, mouth, and neck will help rule out other possible causes of hoarseness or vocal changes.
To get a closer look at how your vocal cords are functioning, your doctor may perform a laryngoscopy, a simple, in-office procedure done while you’re awake. This allows for a detailed view of the voice box (larynx) to check for inflammation, lesions, or abnormal movement of the vocal cords. In some cases, a stroboscopy may also be performed, using a flashing light to evaluate how the vocal cords vibrate when you speak. Irregular vibrations or weakness in the muscles can help pinpoint the cause of your voice symptoms.
If needed, your doctor may also recommend additional testing, such as imaging of the neck or swallowing and breathing studies, to ensure all potential contributing factors are identified.
Voice Treatment Options
Our team takes a comprehensive approach to voice care, beginning with a detailed exam and personalized diagnosis. Once the cause of your symptoms is identified, we develop a tailored treatment plan designed to restore your voice and protect it long-term.
Treatment options may include:
At Rancho ENT, your comfort and vocal health are our top priorities. We take the time to explain every option, answer your questions, and guide you through treatment with care and clarity.
Why Choose Rancho ENT
At Rancho Ear, Nose & Throat, we believe in care that goes beyond the exam room. Dr. Wadhwa and Dr. MacEwan provide each patient with individualized attention and a commitment to long-term wellness. Our practice stands apart because:
We’re proud to provide compassionate, patient-focused care for adults and children throughout the San Diego area.
Find Your Voice Again in Poway, CA
Take the first step toward restoring your voice and confidence. The team at Rancho ENT is here to help you speak, sing, and live comfortably again.
Call 858-674-1165 today to schedule your appointment.
