Throat & Voice
Relief for sore throats, hoarseness, and swallowing problems.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re struggling with a chronic sore throat, hoarse voice, or difficulty swallowing, these symptoms can make it hard to eat, speak, or rest comfortably. They may come and go — or linger longer than they should — and can sometimes point to an underlying issue that needs expert care.
At Head & Neck Surgery of Kansas City, our board-certified physician team evaluates and treats a full range of throat and voice conditions using advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans. We’ll work with you to get to the root of your symptoms and support your long-term health and comfort.
Conditions We Treat
Issues with your throat or voice can affect everything from how you eat to how you express yourself. Some of the most common conditions we see include:
- Tonsillitis — recurring infections that may cause sore throat and difficulty swallowing
- Voice disorders — including hoarseness, vocal fatigue, vocal cord lesions or paralysis, vocal fold scarring, narrowing of the airway, and other voice-related concerns
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) — from reflux, nerve issues, or structural changes
- Chronic sore throat — sometimes tied to infection, irritation, acid reflux or GERD, or disorders of the voice box or esophagus
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) — acid that irritates the throat and voice box
- Cancer of the throat — cancerous growths that can occur throughout the throat
- Spasmodic Dysphonia — involuntary spasms of the vocal cords that can be treated with Botox Injections.
We also evaluate other issues that affect the throat and voice. If you’re not sure what’s behind your symptoms, we’ll help you get the answers.
How We Diagnose
We start by listening to your concerns and reviewing your medical history. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend:
- Laryngoscopy to examine the vocal cords and throat with a small, flexible scope
- Stroboscopy to assess vocal cord vibration and motion in more detail
- Swallow study to observe how food and liquid move through the throat
- Throat culture or biopsy to test for infections or abnormal tissue
- Imaging tests (CT, MRI, or X-ray) when deeper evaluation of the neck or surrounding structures is needed
Treatment Options
Your treatment plan will depend on what’s causing your symptoms and how it’s affecting your life. We may recommend:
- Medications for infection, inflammation, or acid reflux
- Voice therapy to improve vocal strength, tone, and endurance
- Surgery to remove tonsils, vocal cord lesions, or other obstructive tissues
- Dietary and lifestyle modifications for reflux or swallowing support
- Swallowing therapy to strengthen muscles and improve coordination
- Speech-language pathology services for advanced voice or swallowing disorders
- In-office procedures for diagnostic and therapeutic care without general anesthesia
Frequently Asked Questions
If a sore throat lasts more than two weeks, antibiotics do not improve the infection, your voice has been hoarse for over two weeks, or swallowing becomes difficult, it’s time to get checked out.
Sometimes, but frequent or severe infections may require medication or tonsil removal for long-term relief.
Anything from overuse and reflux to nerve damage or vocal cord growths. A careful exam helps us get to the root of it.
It could be globus sensation, reflux, or something else. If that feeling doesn’t go away, we’ll take a closer look.
Yes — many cases respond well to therapy, dietary changes, or medication. Surgery is only recommended when necessary.
Get Back to Feeling Like Yourself Again
If you’re struggling with your voice, throat pain, or trouble swallowing, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward lasting relief.