Contact number: 020 7806 4060
What is a Laryngeal Stroboscopy?
A stroboscope is a diagnostic tool used to examine the voice box and vocal cords. It uses a rapidly flashing light to observe these delicate structures. With this tech, our ENT consultants can visualise the fine details and make accurate diagnoses at speed. A stroboscope might be just the thing that unlocks insights into your vocal health.
Laryngeal stroboscopy is used to create a slow-motion representation of the vocal folds (also known as vocal cords) within the voice box.
How Much Does A Private Laryngeal Stroboscopy
from £240*
The cost of a private Laryngeal Stroboscopy starts from £240* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Top Tips
Before being referred for a stroboscopy, you’ll need to book an initial appointment with an ENT consultant. During this consultation, the doctor will assess your symptoms, which may include examining your throat with a light, arranging imaging, or testing your vocal cords. If the consultant determines that stroboscopy is the best way to diagnose your condition, it can often be arranged for the same day.
During the procedure, topical anaesthesia is used to numb the laryngeal area. A flexible or rigid endoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth to reach the larynx. A stroboscope is connected to the endoscope, and its flashing light is synchronised with the vibration frequency of your vocal folds. As you produce sound, the stroboscopic light captures the motion of your vocal folds, creating a slow-motion effect that allows clinicians to observe their vibratory pattern, symmetry, and mucosal wave.
Laryngologists and speech therapists use the images captured during the stroboscopy to assess the health and function of your vocal folds. This diagnostic tool helps identify conditions such as nodules, polyps, cysts, paralysis, or other issues affecting vocal fold movement and vibration.
After the procedure, your doctor will discuss the initial observations and findings with you. They may offer insights into the health and function of your vocal folds based on the examination and, if abnormalities are found, recommend additional tests, imaging, or procedures.
Depending on the diagnosis, your consultant might suggest treatments such as voice therapy, medication, surgery, or a combination of these. The goal is to address the underlying issue and improve vocal function.
You may be scheduled for follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. If voice therapy is recommended, you might be referred to a speech-language therapist who specialises in voice therapy, which includes exercises and techniques to improve vocal function and reduce strain.
Medically reviewed by Mr Jonathan Fishman - BM BCh (Oxon) BA (Hons) MA (Cantab) PhD MRCS (Eng) DOHNS FHEA FRCS (ORL-HNS) on 27/02/2024