Department of Otolaryngology

Current Research Studies

Conversation Training Therapy

(Principal Investigators: Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Gartner-Schmidt):

Voice therapy is the usual treatment for nearly 140 million people in the United States with voice disorders. This research project is designed to evaluate a new voice therapy program called Conversation Training Therapy (CTT). CTT was created by experts in voice therapy using information collected from voice therapy patients. The information helped to identify the techniques of voice therapy that patients feel are most valuable and useful to getting back to their original voice quality.

Positive Airway Pressure

(Principal Investigators: Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Smith, Dr. Soose):

This research study is designed to better understand the effects of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy on voice in individuals being treated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Aerodynamic Profile of Non-Voice Disordered Individuals

(Principal Investigators: Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Gartner-Schmidt):

This research aims to describe the aerodynamic profiles of people who do not have a voice disorder. Aerodynamic profiles refer to the measurement of the amount of air and air pressure needed to start and maintain the vibration of the vocal folds to produce sound.

Predictive Value of Laryngeal Electromyography in Acute Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

(Principal Investigator: Dr. Smith, Dr. Michael Munin):

This study evaluates the natural history of acute unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis. Paralysis of the vocal cords means that the vocal cords are not moving as they normally should. Paralysis of the vocal cords can lead to difficulties in speaking, singing, eating, drinking, and breathing.