In recognition of World Voice Day on April 21, 2023, laryngologists and speech-language pathologists at the USF Health Voice Center hosted a unique and engaging event dedicated to helping performers maintain and enhance their voice health.

“World Voice Day is an opportunity to celebrate the voice, the instrument and how we use that in the world,” said Stephanie Watts, PhD, a clinical speech pathologist with the USF Health Voice Center.

The attendees benefited from a range of valuable experiences at the event, including:

• Free Vocal Cord Screenings: Participants received an assessment of their vocal cords, conducted by USF Health’s expert laryngologists and speech-language pathologists. This allowed attendees to gain insights into their vocal health and receive personalized recommendations.
• Vocal Seminar: Our USF Health experts led an informative seminar that discussed various aspects of voice health, including proper vocal techniques, vocal hygiene and the prevention and treatment of some common voice disorders.
• Laryngeal Karaoke: The session provided a fun and interactive activity that showcased the importance of healthy vocal practices while engaging in a spirited, entertaining environment.

“I am so proud of my team for putting this day together . . . when you bring the right people and the right team together, magical things happen,” said Yael Bensoussan, MD, a USF Health Laryngologist and the director of USF Health Voice Center. “I’m really excited that this will become a yearly event for World Voice Day to support our community.”

In recognition of World Voice Day, laryngologists and speech-language pathologists at the USF Health Voice Center hosted a unique and engaging event dedicated to supporting performers in maintaining and enhancing their voice health. Pictured are (left-right) USF Health laryngologists Yassmeen Abdel-Aty, MD, Voice Center Director, Yael Bensoussan, MD, and speech pathologists Megan Urbano, CCC-SLP and Stephanie Watts, PhD.

Our voices are one of the most important ways we communicate. Be it projecting to the audience while giving a presentation, encouraging your children on the field or hitting the right notes when you sing, a healthy voice is vital to everyday life. And that means voice disorders can be far more than just a health care nuisance.

Fortunately, the USF Health Voice Center is here to help. The center treats patients with disorders of the upper airway, voice and swallowing.

Yael Bensoussan, MD, MSc

“Voice disorders can really impact patients’ lives as our voices are so important for communicating, socializing and working, especially in the new “zoom era,”‘ said the center’s director, Yael Bensoussan, MD, MSc, who is also an assistant professor of Otolaryngology in the Morsani College of Medicine.

Common symptoms for voice or swallowing disorders include:

• A quivering sound when you talk or sing
• Hoarseness ​for more than three weeks
• A strained or choppy voice
• A weak or whispery voice
• A voice that involuntarily changes in pitch or may be too high or low
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• ​Food getting stuck when swallowing
• Choking or coughing while eating

The USF Health Voice Center is Tampa Bay area’s only academic multidisciplinary voice center. A typical visit may involve an examination by both a laryngologist and a medical speech pathologist.

“I’m very lucky to have a speech pathologist with me,” Dr. Bensoussan said. “Patients always see both of us, so they can get both of our expertise.”

Stephanie Watts, PhD, SLP

Stephanie Watts, PhD, SLP, is the clinical speech pathologist that works closely with Dr. Bensoussan.

“The model of our practice is to combine surgical, medical and behavioral intervention in a truly collaborative effort,” Dr. Watts said. “We really enjoy seeing patients. We create a journey with our patients.”