Voice Doctor in Austin, TX
Hoarseness, reflux, vocal cord nodules, or a voice that simply isn't working right — Capital ENT's specialists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of voice and laryngeal disorders for adults throughout Central Texas.
Expert Voice & Laryngeal Care
Your voice is the instrument you rely on to connect with the world. When something goes wrong — hoarseness, loss of voice, or a chronic throat problem — it affects every aspect of daily life. Capital ENT provides thorough evaluation and effective treatment for the full range of voice and laryngeal conditions.
The most common cause of voice problems we see is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) — acid from the stomach affecting the throat and voice box. We also treat vocal cord nodules, polyps, and paralysis, along with acute and chronic laryngitis and functional voice disorders.
- In-office fiber optic laryngoscopy for accurate diagnosis
- Medical and surgical treatment options
- Treating Austin patients since 1999
Voice & Laryngeal Conditions
Voice problems have many causes — from simple irritation to structural changes in the vocal cords. Accurate diagnosis is the essential first step to effective treatment.
Hoarseness
A raspy, strained, or weak voice is one of the most common voice complaints and can have many causes — vocal overuse, infection, reflux, or structural changes to the vocal cords. Hoarseness that persists beyond two weeks requires evaluation to rule out a serious underlying cause, including laryngeal lesions.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)
Often called "silent reflux," LPR occurs when stomach acid travels up through the esophagus and irritates the throat and voice box. Symptoms include chronic hoarseness, a constant need to clear the throat, post-nasal drip sensation, and a lump-in-the-throat feeling. LPR is one of the most frequently under-diagnosed causes of voice and throat problems.
Vocal Cord Nodules & Polyps
Nodules are benign callous-like growths that develop on the vocal cords from chronic voice overuse. Polyps are similar but typically result from acute vocal trauma or ongoing irritation. Both cause hoarseness and can be treated with voice therapy, medical management, or surgery depending on the type and severity.
Vocal Cord Paralysis & Paresis
Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal cords lose the ability to move due to nerve damage — from surgery, viral illness, or injury. Symptoms include a breathy or weak voice, difficulty projecting, and sometimes trouble swallowing. Treatment options range from voice therapy to vocal cord injection augmentation procedures.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box), most often caused by viral infection, voice overuse, or acid reflux. Acute laryngitis typically resolves with voice rest. Chronic laryngitis lasting more than three weeks often signals an ongoing irritant such as reflux, allergy, or a structural issue that warrants further evaluation and treatment.
Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a functional voice disorder caused by excessive tension in the muscles surrounding the larynx. The vocal cords are structurally normal, but surrounding muscles squeeze too tightly during speech, producing a strained or effortful voice. MTD is often related to stress, vocal overuse, or compensation for an underlying condition.
How We Evaluate & Treat Voice Problems
Accurate diagnosis is essential — many voice conditions share similar symptoms. We take a systematic approach to identify the cause and recommend the most effective treatment.
Fiber Optic Laryngoscopy
We use a thin, flexible fiber optic telescope passed gently through the nose to view the vocal cords and larynx in real time. This painless in-office procedure lets us directly examine vocal cord movement, identify growths or structural changes, and assess how the voice box functions during speech — all in a single visit.
In-Office ProcedureMedical Management
Many voice disorders respond well to non-surgical treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, this may include reflux management (diet, lifestyle, and medication), voice rest, steroid therapy for acute laryngitis, or referral to a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy. We work with each patient to find the right plan for their situation.
Personalized PlansSurgical Treatment
When medical therapy isn't enough, Capital ENT offers surgical options performed on an outpatient basis. Microlaryngoscopy allows precise treatment of vocal cord lesions — nodules, polyps, and cysts — using microsurgical instruments under general anesthesia. Vocal cord injection augmentation is also available for appropriate cases of vocal cord paralysis.
Outpatient ProceduresVoice Care FAQs
Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks should always be evaluated by an ENT specialist. Seek prompt care if your hoarseness is accompanied by pain or difficulty swallowing, is progressively worsening, follows a neck injury or recent surgery, or if you are a smoker or have a history of head and neck cancer. Many causes of hoarseness are benign and easily treated — but a thorough evaluation is the only way to rule out something more serious.
With traditional gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), acid causes heartburn and indigestion. With LPR, the acid travels all the way up to the throat and voice box, causing symptoms like chronic hoarseness, persistent throat clearing, a lump-in-the-throat sensation, and chronic cough. Many people with LPR have no heartburn whatsoever — which is why it's called "silent reflux." An ENT is often the specialist who first identifies and manages LPR because the symptoms involve the throat rather than the stomach.
Nodules develop in pairs — one on each vocal cord at the same location — and form gradually from chronic voice overuse, much like calluses. Polyps are usually found on only one cord and can result from a single vocal trauma (a loud yell or a night at a concert) or from ongoing irritation. Both cause hoarseness, but they are treated differently. Nodules often respond well to voice therapy; polyps more frequently require surgical removal. Laryngoscopy is needed to tell them apart.
Yes — many cases of unilateral (one-sided) vocal cord paralysis improve on their own, particularly when caused by a viral illness. Voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist can help compensate while waiting for recovery. If the voice doesn't recover adequately, vocal cord injection augmentation — where material is injected alongside the paralyzed cord to improve its position — can significantly improve voice quality and swallowing without more invasive surgery.
Most vocal cord surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure with same-day discharge. Voice rest — the most critical part of recovery — is typically required for 3 to 7 days depending on the procedure. A return to normal conversational use generally happens within 1 to 2 weeks; a full return to heavy vocal demands typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Your surgeon will give you specific guidelines. Following voice rest instructions carefully is essential to a good outcome and reducing the chance of recurrence.
Ready to Restore Your Voice?
Don't wait on persistent hoarseness or voice problems. Our ENT specialists provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment — with same-day and next-day appointments available at four Central Texas locations.