Phoniatrics
The name phoniatrics is derived from the Greek words phone (voice) and iatros (doctor). Together with pediatric audiology, it is an independent medical specialty. The discipline focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the voice, speech, language and swallowing. In contrast to pediatric audiology, phoniatrics focuses not only on young patients, but also on adults.
Phoniatrist - specialist in phoniatrics
Following medical studies, specialist training is required to work as a specialist in phoniatrics and pediatric audiology. Further training normally lasts five years, with the first two years corresponding to basic training in the ENT field, while the remaining three years are subject-specific.
HNO phoniatrics
Phoniatrics combines various specialist areas, including ear, nose and throat medicine. In addition, it is closely related to other medical fields, such as neurology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatrics, dentistry, but also hearing aid acoustics, special education and psychology as non-medical disciplines.
Phoniatric examination / phoniatric diagnostics
An examination of the voice usually includes both the vocal organ itself and the vocal sound. When examining the voice, the larynx in particular is examined in detail. Voice anamnesis, (video) stroboscopies, voice sound analyses, hearing assessments of the voice, sound spectrographs, voice and spectral analyses as well as voice field measurements serve as methods of phoniatric examination. As voice and hearing disorders can be related, hearing diagnostics are also carried out. Following the diagnosis, speech therapy is usually recommended; surgical interventions are rarely necessary.
In order to identify swallowing disorders, a detailed medical history is taken and the swallowing act is analyzed in its various phases and with different consistencies. These endoscopic swallowing examinations or further measures, such as a gastroscopy, provide further information about disease patterns or disorders. Depending on the results, outpatient or inpatient swallowing therapy is recommended, and in rarer cases, surgical intervention.