Speech Language Pathology (Speech Language Therapy)

At Mount Sinai’s Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center, our speech language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate and treat adolescents through geriatrics for all types of voice/communication, airway, and swallowing disorders. Speech language pathologists are specially trained in diagnosing and treating these conditions with a focus on the nonsurgical rehabilitation, therapy and individualized approaches to repairing, maintaining, and restoring the voice, swallow, and airway function.

At Mount Sinai, we employ a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes multiple expert opinions and patient feedback about his or her symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options. Our speech and swallow therapy philosophy is to maximize efficiency of care, while partnering with our patients. Every patient is seen during the initial evaluation by a laryngologist and an SLP to offer a holistic perspective to the treatment plan. Mount Sinai is reputable for this comprehensive, integrated approach, which aims to fully optimize the overall patient experience and level of care. Another distinguishing aspect of the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center is that our team offers same day voice and swallow evaluations with immediate results and a detailed treatment plan on the patients’ first visit.

What Speech Language Pathologists Treat

At the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center, our specialists treat all facets of voice, airway and swallow conditions.

Voice Disorders:

Chronic Cough/Airway Disorders:

  • Paradoxical vocal cord motion disorder (vocal cord dysfunction)
  • Chronic cough/chronic throat clearing (laryngeal hypersensitivity)
  • Laryngospasms
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)

Swallowing Disorders:

  • Cricopharyngeal dysfunction (cricopharyngeal bar, spasm)
  • Dysphagia
  • Parkinson’s disease related swallowing disorders
  • Effects of radiation on swallow function
  • Presybyphagia

SLP for Voice and Performance Voice Disorders

Our dedicated vocologists (Clinicians with special training in voice rehabilitation) have highly specialized expertise in treating vocal performers and professional voice users. We work with actors, singers, performing arts students, teachers, lawyers, and coaches to customize care programs for their specific issue. This may range from muscle tension patterns through post-surgery vocal cord healing and recovery. We also collaborate closely with patients, their families, and other dedicated vocologists such as laryngologists, voice coaches, teachers, physical therapists, primary care physicians, rhinologists. neurologists and mental health professionals to maximize care and ensure continuation of the gains made in therapy after they return to performing or working with their increased vocal demands.

SLP for Swallowing and Airway Disorders

For patients who have developed swallowing complications, our therapists are specially trained in diagnosing and treating these conditions, which include aspiration and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as paradoxical vocal fold motion. Additionally, we perform respiratory retraining and muscle strength training to improve the airway and swallow function respectively. Our SLPs may make nutritional recommendations, suggestions on how to position the head when swallowing, and prescribe medication if needed. Sometimes surgery is also recommended if the issue persists.

SLP for Chronic Cough

Mount Sinai is reputable for helping patients overcome chronic cough. Through our innovative behavioral treatment techniques, we have helped many of the World Trade Center responders who have gone years with persistent coughing and acquired laryngeal hypersensitivity. Our clinicians regularly hear glowing praise after patients have spent years coughing, and after three visits they are no longer doing so. This condition is particularly prevalent with the 50+ population, and we can help you or a loved one control the cough, which can have wide-spanning effects on quality of life.

Recovery Expectations of Speech Language and Swallow Therapy

Patients are typically seen once a week (depending on the condition and severity); we understand people in NYC are busy, and we establish a trust with our patients to adhere to home therapy recommendations/programs. Chronic cough typically takes a mere three visits, and professional voice users generally are seen once a week or biweekly until recovery is complete.

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