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Voice and Swallowing Center

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Voice and Swallowing Center

The UMMC Voice and Swallowing Center offers expertise and state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat voice, airway, and swallowing disorders.

Speaking and swallowing are abilities that most people take for granted. But these seemingly simple tasks are actually very complex functions. For example, swallowing a sip of water involves more than 50 nerves and
muscles working together. A number of illnesses, such as allergies, stroke and even chronic heartburn can interrupt
normal throat functions. That is why conditions that affect speaking, singing, swallowing and breathing may require specialized care to pinpoint and treat problems.

Mississippi’s only fellowship-trained laryngologist, John Schweinfurth, MD, leads our center. The team includes speech-language pathologists, residents, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Additionally, the Voice and Swallowing Center collaborates with UMMC experts in gastroenterology, neurology, psychology, pulmonology, and allergy. This collaborative approach to treatment means we look at voice and swallowing concerns from every angle.

To schedule an appointment or make a referral to the UMMC Voice and Swallowing Center, call (601) 984-5160.

Expert care for voice, airway and swallowing functions

We provide focused care for a range of conditions including:

Voice disorders

  • Laryngitis/chronic hoarseness
  • Muscle tension dysphonia (involuntary muscle movement)
  • Laryngeal reflux/chronic cough
  • Age-related voice changes/atrophy
  • Vocal cord nodules/polyps/cysts
  • Vocal cord weakness/paralysis
  • Throat cancer
  • Spasmodic dysphonia/tremor (shaky voice)
  • Professional care for the singing voice

Airway disorders

  • Tracheostomy
  • Vocal cord dysfunction
  • Airway obstruction/stenosis

Swallowing disorders

  • Dysphagia resulting from:
    • Surgery
    • Stroke
    • Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease)
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Other neurological diseases

Specialized services and treatments

Our team provides a range of specialized services and treatments for voice and swallowing disorders.

  • Laser surgery for tumors
  • Laryngeal Botox treatment
  • Laryngeal microsurgery
  • Videostroboscopy
  • Vocal fold augmentation
  • Voice evaluation and therapy
  • Modified barium swallow study (MBSS)
  • Dysphagia clinical evaluation and therapy
  • Flexible endoscopy evaluation of swallowing (FEES)

Contact us

To schedule an appointment or make a referral to the UMMC Voice and Swallowing Center, call (601) 984-5160.

  • Voice and Swallowing Center
    764 Lakeland Drive, 4th floor
    Jackson, Ms 39216
    (601) 984-5160