Videostroboscopy
Your voice is a vital part of who you are. Our advanced imaging technology allows us to see your vocal cords in action, helping us find the right path to restoring your voice.
A detailed look at your voice
Every time you speak, laugh, or sing, your vocal cords (also known as vocal folds) vibrate hundreds of times per second. This movement is so fast that the human eye cannot see it under normal light. Because of this speed, our speech pathology team uses a specialized test called videostroboscopy. This diagnostic tool uses a specialized strobe light to create an optical illusion of slow motion. By slowing down the image of your vocal fold vibration, our team in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio can see exactly how your voice is produced and identify the root cause of any voice disorders you may be experiencing.
How videostroboscopy works
During a videostroboscopy, speech pathologist or an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist uses a thin, flexible, or rigid camera equipped with a strobe light. As you make sounds, the light flashes at a frequency slightly different from the speed of your vibrating vocal folds.
This creates a video record of the vibration cycle. Instead of seeing a blur, we can see the waves and ripples of the tissue, the way the folds close together, and the health of the underlying muscles. This level of detail is essential for creating a treatment plan that is truly personalized to your needs.
Why you might need a videostroboscopy
Any change in your vocal quality can be life-altering. You’re likely a good candidate for this procedure if you experience:
- A feeling of having something stuck in your throat that affects your voice
- A sudden change in your singing range or pitch
- Chronic vocal fatigue
- Hoarseness lasting more than two to three weeks
- Recovery from a surgery that may have affected your airway or neck.
What does videostroboscopy diagnose?
Because we can see the vocal folds in such fine detail, videostroboscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing several conditions affecting the larynx. The test can be used to identify many voice disorders, including:
- Atrophy: Thinning of the vocal folds that often happens with age
- Muscle tension dysphonia: When the muscles around the voice box are too tense
- Scarring: Changes in the tissue from previous injuries or surgeries
- Vocal fold cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can interfere with vibration
- Vocal fold nodules or polyps: Small growths caused by vocal strain
- Vocal fold paralysis: When one or both folds do not move correctly
What to expect
This 15–20 minute evaluation is performed by one of our speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who works closely with referring providers — such as <link: Medical Services (A to Z) / Ear, Nose, & Throat >ear, nose, and throat (ENT)</link> specialists — to determine the exact cause of voice or throat changes.
How to prepare
There is very little preparation needed for a videostroboscopy. In most cases, you can eat and drink normally before your appointment. When you arrive, your speech-language pathologist will explain the steps and may use a mild numbing spray in your nose to ensure you’re comfortable.
During the exam
You’ll sit in a comfortable chair. The provider numbs the nose and throat with medicines before inserting a scope into the nose and guiding it down the throat. Then you’ll be asked to perform a few simple vocal tasks — like saying "eee" or sliding your voice from a low pitch to a high pitch. The camera captures the vocal fold vibration during these tasks.
Reviewing the results
One of the greatest benefits of this technology is its real-time imaging. Your therapist can sit down with you to look at the slow-motion footage, explaining what they see and how it relates to your symptoms. They’ll share your results with your provider, who can help determine the right treatment or next steps.