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In the BLA Connections: A Clear Voice episode, host Natalie Watson interviews Professor David Howard, the founding president of the British Laryngological Association (BLA). The conversation reflects on the history and development of the BLA and the vital role of laryngology in speech and language therapy. Professor Howard shares insights into his career, from his early interest in physiology and surgical innovations to his current work on a negative pressure ventilator designed to improve respiratory support globally. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of innovation in medicine, including the slow process of gaining widespread adoption.
Professor Howard also discusses his continued involvement in teaching, training, and international work. Prof Howard reflects on his experiences with the Everest medical research team, his collaboration with engineers and clinicians, and the importance of bridging disciplines to address global health challenges.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with keynote speaker Prof Nupur Nerurkar, who joined the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2024 in London. Nupur shares her expertise on vocal fold cysts, sulci, and mucosal bridges, detailing insights from her research and clinical practice. She discusses advancements in diagnosing and treating these challenging conditions, including her laser-assisted techniques and classifications that aim to improve outcomes for patients.
Prof Nerurkar also highlights the role of hydration in preventing vocal fold cysts, the importance of tailored surgical techniques, and the significance of involving speech therapists in post-surgical care. The conversation concludes with a look at mucosal bridges, their complexities, and opportunities for future research.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this recording of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson speaks with Dr. Anaïs Rameau from Weill Cornell Medicine, New York during the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2024. They explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in laryngology, introducing concepts like "Audiomics" and "Videomics" to describe the use of AI for analyzing voice and video data.
Dr. Rameau discusses AI's potential to improve access to care, standardize clinical assessments, and support monitoring of treatments from home, while also addressing important ethical considerations around privacy and equitable access.The episode highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and patients to ensure responsible AI integration into practice.
Dr. Rameau encourages clinicians to stay engaged with AI developments, whether by reviewing research, advocating for patients, or contributing to data standards. For more information, visit the BLA website, where members and conference delegates can access the 2024 presentations on Talking Slides.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson interviews Prof Marc Remacle, reflecting on his 30-year career in laryngology. The discussion explores advancements in diagnostic and surgical techniques, including CO2 lasers, low-power lasers, and improvements in video endoscopy.
Prof Remacle highlights the evolution from open cancer surgeries to transoral approaches and the growing role of in-office procedures facilitated by enhanced tools such as blue lasers and anterior injection laryngoplasty. He also discusses the future potential of high-speed video over stroboscopy for improved diagnostic accuracy and the development of exoscopes for simpler and more effective surgical workflows.During the Cutting Edge Laryngology 2024 conference Prof Remacle
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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The final episodes of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, Series 6 provides an overview of highlights from the Cutting Edge Laryngology 2024 conference in London. Host Natalie Watson introduces keynote speakers, including Prof Marc Remacle, reflecting on 30 years of work in laryngology; Dr Anais Rameau, discussing the role of artificial intelligence in the future of the field; and Dr Nupur Nerurkar, covering vocal fold cysts, sulci, and mucosal bridges. Additional contributions include Prof Martin Birchall discussing soft robotics and Prof David Howard reflecting on his career and advancements in laryngology, how far we have come and where we are going. Conference talks are also available on Talking Slides for BLA members and delegates.
In the episode, Profs Remacale and Birchall focus on the use of soft and hard robotics in medicine. Hard robotics, commonly used in surgeries, have limitations in laryngology due to size and access challenges. Soft robotics, inspired by biological systems, offer potential for flexible applications such as dynamic vocal cord implants and adaptable surgical tools, though further development is required. Both professors highlight the importance of combining artificial intelligence with robotics to improve precision and outcomes. The podcast provides an informative summary of recent advancements and ongoing innovations in laryngology.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson speaks with Professors James Hull and Surinder Birring, leading experts in respiratory medicine, to discuss the challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic cough.
Chronic cough, affecting 5-10% of the population (primarily women), is a debilitating condition often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. It can significantly impact quality of life with symptoms such as urinary incontinence, throat irritation, and headaches.
Professors Hull and Birring explain how chronic cough is now recognised as a neurological condition linked to nerve hypersensitivity, moving away from being seen as just a symptom of asthma, reflux, or nasal disease. Questions explored and answered in this episode cover why chronic cough is frequently misdiagnosed. How is cough hypersensitivity syndrome changing the approach to treatment? and what are the latest advancements in therapies, including new treatments like Gefapixant, that offer hope for managing nerve sensitivity and improving patient outcomes?
Top three takeaways:
Chronic cough is common and frequently misdiagnosed, leading to a cycle of treatments for conditions like asthma, reflux, or nasal disease, which may not be the root cause.Cough hypersensitivity syndrome reframes chronic cough as a neurological condition, prompting a shift in treatment focus.Promising treatments, such as Gefapixant, aim to address nerve sensitivity, offering new hope for chronic cough sufferers.We hope you enjoy this episode.
Resource Links
ISSC Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire: https://www.issc.info/HullCoughHypersensitivityQuestionnaire.html
Article: Development of a symptom-specific health status measure for patients with chronic cough: Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1746649/pdf/v058p00339.pdf
Article: Development and validation of the Newcastle laryngeal hypersensitivity questionnairehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3931290/
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode of the podcast, host Natalie Watson explores the comprehensive management of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), bringing together three top experts: Dr Andile Sibiya from South Africa, Mr Adam Donne from the UK, and Prof Craig Derkay from the USA. The discussion covers various aspects of RRP, including differences in patient presentation and healthcare systems across the three countries, the impact of HPV vaccination, and evolving treatment modalities.
Dr. Sibiya discusses the challenges in South Africa, highlighting delays in diagnosis and access to specialized ENT services, particularly for pediatric patients. She emphasizes the need for centralizing care for younger children and the limitations posed by a tiered healthcare system. Sibiya also mentions the significant disease burden and the approach of using surgery as a primary treatment, with consideration for adjuvant therapies, despite limited access to certain treatments like Bevacizumab.
Adam Donne outlines the situation in the UK, where the National Health Service facilitates early referral for hoarseness, a red flag symptom. He notes the prevalence of RRP and the transition from primarily surgical treatments to incorporating adjuvant therapies such as the Quadrivalent vaccine, Cidofovir, and Bevacizumab. Donne underscores the importance of specialist centres and the evolving treatment landscape, reflecting a shift towards medical management.
Craig Derkay provides insights from the US, describing the typical presentation of RRP in children and adults and the role of tertiary care centres in managing the disease. He highlights the promising results of intravenous Bevacizumab in reducing the need for repeated surgeries and the psychological burden on patients. Derkay also discusses the potential of new DNA vaccines in phase three trials, which show promise in significantly reducing or even curing RRP.
The episode concludes with a consensus on the need for earlier adoption of adjuvant therapies to minimize long-term damage and improve patient outcomes, alongside excitement about future developments in vaccine research. The experts agree on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving patients and families in treatment decisions and maintaining a focus on innovative solutions to improve the care and prognosis of RRP patients.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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When it comes to exploring the vast field of laryngology, few events promise the depth and breadth of insight as the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference—coming on 2-4 October 2024, showcasing the latest advances in our field.
In this special episode of the podcast, Natalie meets with Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from Idiopathic subglottic stenosis to vocal cord paralysis, laryngology to AI, Laryngeal dysfunction to dysphagia – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered!
This year, the conference will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine, London. There will be three keynote speakers: Marc Remacle, '30 years of laryngology, what did I learn?' Anais Rameau, 'AI, is it the future of laryngology?' and Nupur Nerurkar, 'Vocal fold cysts, sulci and mucosal bridges – The difficult family.'
At the conference, there will be six to seven free papers, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Each year, the best oral and poster presentation will be awarded the David Howard Prize. Abstract submissions are open until the 7th of June 2024.Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with ENT surgeon Dr Andile Sibiya about laryngology care in South Africa, and the unique challenges facing the population in terms of the size of the area and population, and the huge reliance on limited public health services.
When Dr Sibiya first started in the province, she was tasked with re-strategising the entire ENT service. She spent a lot of time visiting different facilities to determine areas that were being underserved, laryngology being one of them.
In the latter half of the episode, there is a discussion about innovations like the Trachealator that have been transformational to the community as a whole, emphasising the significant role of collaboration and training in improving patient outcomes. As well as discussions around access to training and other development opportunities.
We hope you enjoy this insightful episode.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode, our host, Natalie Watson, invites Fiona Gillies, Emma Webber, and Sarah Wallace OBE, to discuss post-COVID effects on the larynx and the long COVID project run by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists.
The RCSLT project is led by a dedicated group of professionals working to create patient handbooks, fact sheets, and data collection tools. These resources aim to provide clinicians and patients with a deeper understanding of long COVID and its implications on speech and swallowing, aiding in effectively managing these complications.
The conversation continues, covering a critical care perspective and the trends emerging from patients admitted with COVID to ITU to post-critical care follow-up clinics to outpatient care and the presenting symptoms of long COVID who have not received critical care. What are the treatments available to offer?COVID-19's impact on the larynx and the role of speech therapy in recovery is a complex and rapidly evolving area. More research and data to further understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the larynx is required and will be instrumental in guiding future treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes.
Input into new long COVID guidance | RCSLT
We hope you enjoy listening.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Ahmed Geneid, head of the Phoniatrics Department, Helsinki University Hospital of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, to discuss chronic cough, a common issue in laryngology exploring the leading causes of chronic cough, including factors like asthma, smoking, pollutants, reflux, and ACE inhibitors.
Professor Geneid shares his treatment approach, emphasising video endoscopy's importance in examining the larynx and trachea. He discusses his encounters with previously undiagnosed trachea cancer, adding complexity to the condition.The second part of this episode looks into the technical aspects of managing chronic cough. Professor Geneid explains his method for administering local anaesthetic for tracheoscopy. He outlines his strategy for addressing laryngeal hypersensitivity and explores treatment options for chronic neuropathic cough. These include techniques like sipping water and deep swallowing and interventions like amitriptyline, speech and language therapy, and cortisone/lidocaine injections.
In conclusion, this episode is a comprehensive guide on chronic cough, taking listeners from diagnosis to treatment. The insights provided by Professor Genied are invaluable for those dealing with this common ailment. While the complexities of chronic cough are vast, with the proper knowledge and treatment techniques, it can be effectively managed.
We hope you enjoy listening.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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Have you ever considered the connection between singing and laryngology?
In this episode, Declan Costello, a celebrated consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon, ENT and Audiology News editor and current President of the British Laryngological Association, explores this topic with host Natalie Watson.
With a background as a Choral Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge, Declan's passion for singing led him to become a specialist in voice disorders.
We also delve into the intricate world of voice disorders, particularly as they relate to singers—voice disorders in singers versus non-singers, and the evolving views on reflux and persistent throat symptoms.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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Welcome to the first episode of series 5 of BLA Connections; A Clear Voice. In this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA, Mr Declan Costello and Prof Guri Sandhu.
Prof Sandhu is a founding member of the BLA and immediate past President of the Laryngology & Rhinology section at the RSM. He is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon at Imperial College and The Royal Brompton Hospitals in London and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and University College London. He is a pioneering laryngologist with a special interest in laryngotracheal stenosis. In 2016 he received the Isshiki Award for his outstanding contribution to laryngology. Under his leadership, Prof Sandhu has increased educational events both in-person and remotely, bringing the BLA community together again in person whilst keeping the accessibility online learning offers. Most notably, with a new venture as the BLA and the UEP will join forces to present a one-day meeting on voice-related topics. This inaugural meeting will occur on the 14th of September at the RSM London.
Mr Costello is also a founding member of the BLA. He is a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon specialising in voice disorders. He studied music at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar and went on to study medicine at Imperial College. As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He has published a number of books and has written many chapters, including the chapter on Larynx for the 42nd edition of Grey's Anatomy. Declan is on the Presidential Council of the European Laryngological Society and the editor of ENT and Audiology News.
The panellists also look to the future of the BLA, including the upcoming joint meeting with the UEP fostering further international links for the association and further accessibility for all with an interest in laryngology with plans of further study days, workshops, podcasts and webinars.Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In the final episode of series 4 of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, to discuss how to oxygenate our patients whilst operating on the larynx under general anaesthetic. Prof Nouraei walks us step-by-step through THRIVE and other tubeless ventilation methods.
“You have all the time in the world to put a scope in, as long as it's less than three minutes.”
This quote from Prof David Howard, a global Laryngology pioneer and a friend and mentor to many UK Laryngologists including Prof Nouraei, was an inspiration to search for methods of increasing apnoea time.
THRIVE is essentially a method of ventilating patients who are under general anaesthesia and under conditions of muscle paralysis (i.e. apnoea), by filling the upper airways with oxygen and by activating a ventilatory exchange process which increases the time to desaturation.
As well as explaining the functions and indications for THRIVE, Prof Nouraei shares his tips and insights for using the procedure successfully, including which patients and conditions might not be suitable for it. We also discuss other ventilation strategies and new airway management tools for further improving them.
To ensure that patients with acutely compromised airways are managed safely, it is vital to understand the anatomy of laryngoscopy and to appreciate how the sharp angle between the lips and the larynx is converted into a straight line. This enables the laryngologist to create safe access corridors for oxygenation and for shared-airway surgery after the patient has been anaesthetised and has been rendered apnoeic.
Apnoeic ventilation has been a major game changer for our specialty, as well, more broadly, for the care of patients with complex and compromised airways whom, as laryngologists, we are regularly called upon to support.
For more expert insight into all things laryngology, please do look back at other episodes in this series, including the management and patient journey of airway stenosis, persistent throat symptoms, and the ageing voice. And if you have a topic you think we should cover next series, do let us know!
*Please note a declaration of interest: Prof. Reza Nouraei declares that he has received research and consultancy support from Fisher and Paykel.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode of BLA Connections, A Clear Voice, we are joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queens Medical Center, Nottingham, UK, to discuss the exciting subject of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of laryngology and global healthcare.
AI gives us the ability to classify voice signals, develop imaging programs for stroboscopy and high-speed laryngoscopy and identify regions of interest for further scrutiny. This can all help with areas where we are trying to take activity out of the operating room and into the outpatient setting. It has the potential to impact survival rates and early diagnosis of diseases such as Parkinson’s.
What about ‘big data’? “Big data is the engine of artificial intelligence.” It’s most relevant to laryngology in terms of population science and feeds into personalised medicine. Big data sets can help increase access to healthcare, clear COVID-19 backlogs and, with multi-centre collaborations, it can help reduce health inequalities across the UK and around the world.
So, what part will this kind of technology play in the future of laryngology? Prof Nouraei believes that technology can extend the reach of subspecialist laryngologists and be a means of supporting allied health colleagues. With AI and big data, we can bridge the healthcare gap and offer more specialised services with less need for supervision. This technology can make specialist knowledge that takes years to acquire more accessible and inclusive.
“The big driving force in the NHS, and probably healthcare worldwide, is to get the right person in the right place to see the right [clinician] in the shortest possible time.” Artificial Intelligence can go a long way towards making this a reality.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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Cutting Edge Laryngology 2022 is coming on the 22-23 September 2022, showcasing the latest advances in our field. In this special episode of the podcast Natalie meets with Associate Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from dysphagia to airway management, speech and language therapy to COVID sequelae, paediatric services to airway management – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered! Chad and Natalie are particularly excited about the keynote lectures from President of the Union of the European Phoniatricians and the Finnish Laryngological Society, Ahmed Geneid, on office based laryngology, and President of Dysphagia Research Society, Jacqueline Allen, on negotiating laryngological uncertainty.
This year the conference will be held virtually, meaning that the panel of experts can be truly global. Alongside Ahmed from Finland and Jacqui from New Zealand will be other international speakers, including Farzaneh Ahmadi from Western Sydney University, presenting her bionic voice prosthesis for the first time in the UK, Craig Derkay, possibly the father of RRP new therapeutics, from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and long-standing friend and supporter of the BLA, Marshall Smith from the University of Utah.
Attendees will be active participants with the chance to ask questions and participate in panel discussions and enjoy live poster sessions featuring slides and a presentation. An added benefit of the virtual format is the opportunity for those who can’t be there on the day to register and watch high quality recordings of the full programme in their own time.
Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology. To register go to https://www.laryngologyconference.com/
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode of A Clear Voice, we speak with Dr Aaron Johnson about age-related changes to the larynx. Following a decade-long career as a professional classical singer and singing teacher, Dr Johnson trained to be a Speech and Language Pathologist. He now works at NYU Langone’s Voice Centre and researches the effects of vocal training, voice use and ageing on the muscles of the larynx.
We start by looking at the ageing process of the voice – how this differs for males and females related to hormonal changes and how other age-related changes to the body affect our voice. Dr Johnson then shares his experience as a singing teacher working with the ageing voice and how his own preconceptions were challenged as he saw first-hand the effect of vocal exercise on the ageing voice. This experience has made him passionate about sharing the message that getting older doesn't have to mean the inevitable decline of voice function and that there is something you can do about it. Likewise, he urges clinicians to not make assumptions about patients, as a lot can be done for the ageing voice to strengthen and improve function.
We discuss some of Dr Johnson’s recommended interventions and exercises based on his research into neuromuscular changes in the larynx as it ages. He shares his take on the most effective form of vocal exercise, focussing on endurance and intensity. He also emphasises the importance of ensuring that the voice remains active and in regular use as we age; “If you don't use it, you lose it.”
Voice remains an important interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary field, and clear clinical and surgical interventions are also needed to improve muscle function and make this kind of exercise possible, and we touch on some of the established and emerging areas of treatment.
In closing, Dr Johnson focuses on advocacy and the need to make people aware that voice doctors like him are out there and able to provide real support and improvement for those suffering from voice problems.
Further information:Singing Through Change by Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman and Cate Frazier-Neely – looking at the singing voice in women going through menopause
https://singingthroughchange.com/Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) – an intensive voice therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions which affect voice.
https://www.slt.co.uk/speech-language-and-communication/one-to-one-therapy/lee-silverman-voice-treatment/Phonation Resistance Training Exercises (PhoRTE) – a high-intensity voice therapy program designed specifically for pathologic age-related voice changes. https://phorte.org/
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Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this very special episode, Natalie Watson is joined by Charlie Harper to tell us his personal experience of airway stenosis. Charlie shares his advice to other patients going through similar experiences, as well as his incredibly valuable thoughts on how we as healthcare professionals can do better for our patients.
After experiencing severe symptoms including nosebleeds, deafness and breathing difficulties, Charlie was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in 2019. As the benefits of successive dilation surgeries reduced, he required an emergency tracheostomy – an experience which Charlie describes as devastating in its impact on day-to-day life, and perhaps not sufficiently acknowledged as such by healthcare professionals. Charlie was eventually referred to a hospital in London, where, very unusually, he underwent two laryngeal tracheal resections, following a second stenosis after the first procedure, caused by his tracheostomy. Whilst all of this was happening, healthcare services and all our daily lives were changed beyond recognition by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. And Charlie’s personal life was also changed forever by the birth of his daughter – an experience which was massively impacted by his health issues, which meant he was unable to be present at the birth in the way he would have wished, or even to hold his newborn daughter.
In his advice to other patients in similar circumstances, Charlie explains the importance of a positive outlook and surrendering oneself to the process. He emphasises the key role of psychological support in adapting to life changing diagnoses and treatments, and believes that professional help in this area should be available to all patients. He also has some excellent suggestions for improving care and support pathways for tracheostomy patients and shares his views on how essential it is for different specialties to work together. Lastly, Charlie gives us clinicians a striking reminder that what is routine to us is often life changing for patients, and we must try to remember this in our interactions.
Charlie leaves us with the lighter side of his story, sharing some funny anecdotes and a heartfelt thanks to his wife for her support and love. This episode is truly essential listening for both patients and clinicians. We hope you enjoy it.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook,
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice. -
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Welcome to the latest episode of BLA Connect, A Clear Voice, where we join host, Natalie Watson and Mr James O’Hara, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Otolaryngologist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, to talk about a topic that is incredibly common in the laryngology clinic – persistent throat symptoms.
James and Natalie discuss the many and varied causes of an irritated larynx and persistent throat symptoms, and the historic low-level of evidence for standard treatments such as proton pump inhibitors. The results of the TOPPITS (Trial of Proton Pump Inhibitors) run by James O’Hara with Prof Janet Wilson showed that these were no more effective than placebo treatment. So where does that leave us? Treatment is moving towards the use of alginates, such as Gaviscon, and James is involved in a new pre-clinical trial, (TALGITS – Trial of Alginates and Throat Symptoms) to look at the effectiveness of these in treating persistent throat symptoms and hopefully improve the management of these symptoms in primary care.
Ultimately, we all want to provide the best care for patients and providing a diagnosis or label for their symptoms can seem a good way of doing this. However, the lack of clear treatment pathway for persistent throat symptoms can lead to unnecessary worry with patients often referred to Head and Neck Cancer clinics. When we do see patients in clinic, James and Natalie emphasise the importance of letting the patient talk, being honest about the lack of evidence-based treatment in this area, considering comorbidities such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain symptoms, and discussing behavioural modifications and strategies for how patients can take ownership of and manage their own symptoms.
The take home message from this episode must be to always question and improve what we do for the patient’s benefit.
Listen to previous episodes of this podcast from the podcast provider of your choice and on our BLA Connect App. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to hear about or guests you want to hear from please do get in touch at [email protected]. You can also support us by hitting Like, Subscribe or leaving a review for this podcast with your provider. Thank you for listening.
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and details on becoming a BLA member.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook,
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice. -
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Welcome back to a new series of BLA Connections – A Clear Voice. In today’s episode we talk to Professor Guri Sandhu about the management of airway stenosis.
“That's what got me interested, because you could improve someone's quality of life immensely in a relatively short timeframe.”
Professor Guri Sandhu works in the national Airway Centre for Airway Reconstruction based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London. Prof Sandhu is also our BLA president and having trained in airway stenosis at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and with Prof David Howard, he is the ideal person to take us through this rare complaint.
He explains that patient history is the first key step in diagnosis and management for a cohort of patients including those who have been ventilated in intensive care units, those with idiopathic stenosis and those with systemic conditions. We go through the various diagnostic steps, however for Prof Sandhu, the most valuable assessment of the nature of the stenosis takes place on the operating table.
We look at the different surgical techniques employed for systemic conditions, scarring and stenosis treatment, with Prof Sandhu explaining that his aim is to do something that gives you the maximum gain for minimal injury. Postoperative treatment is also differentiated by patient history and diagnosis, from day case procedures to longer hospital stays. Finally, Prof Sandhu shares his key, take home messages. To find out more about this topic please take a look at his many published works: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guri-Sandhu.
Our full series can be found in the podcast provider of your choice or you can find every episode on our BLA Connect App. We would love to hear from you about the topics you would like us to explore, any questions you have, and the experts you would like to hear from. Get in touch at [email protected]. If you enjoy these podcasts please do remember to subscribe and leave a review with your podcast provider. Thank you for listening.Upcoming BLA Events
VIRTUAL Webinar "Paediatric Stridor & Dysphagia" on Saturday, 19 March from 15:00 - 18:30 (GMT, UK TIME)
Cutting Edge Laryngology | 22 - 23 September 2022 (VIRTUAL)
Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org or download BLA Connect from your app store for further information and detailContact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.
Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.
This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice. - Se mer
