Know More About Adult and Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat
                     Know More About 
 Adult and  
Pediatric Ear,  
Nose and Throat
Our Physicians
Our Physicians
Our Physicians
The Coastal Voice and Swallowing Center is 
led  by Dr. Pratik B. Patel, focusing on the  
diagnosis and treatment of laryngologic 
(voice  box and throat) conditions. We offer 
a wide  variety of in-office and operative 
procedures,  and partner with speech 
pathologists in the  greater New Jersey 
Shore area to get you the  care you need
Flexible Laryngoscopy
A small flexible camera is used to visualize 
the  nose, throat, and vocal cords after 
numbing  the nose and throat.
Video Stroboscopy
The vocal cords are examined with a high 
Know More About Voice and power  camera and strobe light to examine 
for  abnormalities that may be causing voice 
 Swallowing  problems.
Know About More Vocal Cord 
 Lesions
The term vocal cord lesion (physicians call them vocal 
 “fold” lesions) refers to a group of noncancerous  
(benign), abnormal growths (lesions) within or along  
the covering of the vocal cord. Vocal cord lesions are  
one of the most common causes of voice problems 
and  are generally seen in three forms; nodules, 
polyps, and  cysts. Vocal Cord Nodules (also called 
Singer’s Nodes,  Screamer’s Nodes) Vocal cord 
nodules are also known  as “calluses of the vocal 
fold.” They appear on both  sides of the vocal cords, 
typically at the midpoint, and  directly face each 
other. Like other calluses, these  lesions often 
diminish or disappear when overuse of  the area is 
stopped.
Know More About Vocal 
Cord  Paresis/Paralysis
Hoarseness and other problems can occur 
related  to problems between the nerves and 
muscles  within the voice box or larynx. The 
most common  condition is a paralysis or 
weakness of one or  both vocal cords. 
Involvement of both vocal cords  is rare and is 
usually manifested by noisy  breathing or 
difficulty getting enough air while  breathing or 
talking. However, one vocal cord  can become 
paralyzed or severely weakened  (paresis) after a 
viral infection of the throat, after  surgery in the 
neck or cheek, or for unknown  reasons.
Presbyphonia (Aging 
 voice)
As part of the normal aging process, the  
muscles that sustain and support our 
vocal  folds (cords), as well as the 
structure of the  larynx (voice box), may 
alter and change.
These changes, that can affect the way we 
 use our voice and the way it sounds, 
usually  occur after age 60.
Spasmodic dysphonia, also known as  
laryngeal dystonia, is a rare 
neurological  disorder characterized by 
involuntary  muscle spasms of the 
larynx (voice box).
Spasmodic dysphonia causes the voice 
to  break, or to have a tight, strained or  
strangled quality. Patients with  
spasmodic dysphonia may have 
difficulty  communicating clearly.
Spasmodic Dysphonia
Know More About Vocal Cord  
Cancer
Oral cancer often appears unnoticed in the mouth as 
a  tiny white or red spot or sore. Because many 
people  do not realize they have oral cancer, a 
diagnosis may  not be made until the problem has 
become more  advanced, making treatment more 
difficult;  currently, fifty percent of patients 
diagnosed with  oral cancer in the U.S. do not 
survive more than five  years. Fortunately, early 
detection of cancer and pre-  cancerous conditions 
provides a higher probability of  cure. Regular dental 
examinations are an invaluable  part of early cancer 
detection and treatment.
Know More About Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a very serious condition requiring immediate  
medical attention. When cancer attacks the vocal cords, the 
voice  changes in quality, assuming the characteristics of chronic 
 hoarseness, roughness, or raspiness. These symptoms occur at 
an  early stage in the development of the cancer. It is important 
to  remember that prompt attention to changes in the voice 
facilitate  early diagnosis thus early and successful treatment of 
vocal cord  cancer can be obtained.
Vocal Misuse and Abuse
Improper or poor speaking technique is  
caused from speaking at an abnormally 
or  uncomfortable pitch, either too high 
or too  low, and leads to hoarseness and 
a variety of  other voice problems.
Examples of this condition are when young  
adult females, in a work environment,  
consciously or subconsciously choose to 
speak  at a lower than appropriate pitch 
and with a  heavy voice.
Know More About 
 Laryngitis
Voice problems result when the lungs,  
voice box (larynx), or mouth are  
damaged. If you have a voice problem,  
you may experience discomfort or 
pain in  your neck as you speak, 
trouble reaching  proper pitch, 
quality, or loudness of your  voice.
Pain with swallowing 
 (Odynophagia)
The larynx has multiple functions, including  
voice production, cough, and airway 
protection.  The larynx also acts as a conduit 
for breathing.
Pathologic conditions that affect normal  
laryngeal function can result in poor 
cough  production, aspiration with 
subsequent  pneumonia, change in 
phonation, and  dysphagia. 
Chondronecrosis of the larynx is a  rare 
complication encountered in  
otolaryngology.
Laryngopharyngeal /   
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Laryngopharyngeal reflux, also known as LPR, is a 
 condition that can occur in patients who have been  
diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, also  
known as GERD. Acid from the stomach rises 
upward,  towards the esophagus, and enters the 
back of the  throat. Patients with LPR report 
experiencing a bitter  taste and the feeling that 
something is caught in the  back of their throat. In 
some cases, LPR can cause  breathing difficulties.
Parkinson's Disease Related  
Voice Disorder
It has been estimated that more than 70% of patients with  
Parkinson’s disease experience voice and speech 
disorders.  Some report that dysphonia, impairment in 
the ability to  speak normally, is one of the disease’s most 
disruptive  symptoms.
People with Parkinson’s induced dysphonia are described as  
having a harsh, weak or breathy quality to their voices. 
There  are, however, medical and behavioral treatments that 
may  lead to voice improvements. Both vocal chord 
injections and  voice therapy have shown some of the 
most positive results  with the least amount of patient 
discomfort.
Contact Us
Coastal Ear, Nose and Coastal Ear, Nose and Coastal Ear, Nose and 
 Throat  Throat  Throat
Address: 3700 Route Address: 1301 Route Address: 100 
33 72 Commons
Neptune, NJ 07753 Unit 340 Way #210
(732) 280-7855 (main) Manahawkin, NJ Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 280-7815 08050 (732) 280-7855
(609) 978-0590 (732)-280-7815
(732) 280-7815
For More Details Visit Us:
https://coastalearnoseandthroat.com/services/voice-and-
swallowing/