The Center for Communication & Swallowing Disorders has five licensed speech-language pathologists who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of people with communication and swallowing disorders. Each speech-language pathologist has a masters degree in the field of Speech Pathology.
Swallowing is a complex and highly coordinated act. The process of normal swallowing is characterized by movement of food and liquid from the mouth through the throat/pharynx and food pipe/esophagus by a series of muscle movements, while protecting the airway from foreign material.
Deviations from the normal pattern of swallowing or problems with eating/swallowing are called dysphagia. Swallowing problems can occur in any age group for many different reasons. Dysphagia can include coughing or choking while swallowing, problems preparing food and liquids to be swallowed, and/or difficulty moving food through the mouth and throat. Dysphagia can adversely affect an individual's quality of life.
Evaluation of Swallowing Disorders
Treatment of Swallowing Disorders
For the singer, actor, broadcaster, educator, clergy, or politician, the voice is a precious instrument. Like an athlete who must keep his or her body in excellent physical condition, someone who must speak for several hours a day, sing, or deliver convincing speeches with finesse depends upon a healthy and well-functioning larynx (voice box).
The Professional Voice Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin has been created specifically to meet the needs of "vocal athletes." The vocal mechanism is a complicated and delicate structure, and the voice care of professional voice users requires special expertise from clinicians who understand their concerns.
Evaluation and treatment of professional voice problems
What is trismus and what can be done for it?
Information on paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction
More information on our head and neck cancer program.