Airway, Voice and Swallowing Center
Contact Information
Airway, Voice and Swallowing Center for Children
Massachusetts Eye and Ear
243 Charles Street
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-573-3190
Explore This Treatment Program
Care During COVID-19
Our dedicated physicians, nurses and staff are committed to providing the best possible care for children. We have taken unprecedented steps to ensure office visits and procedures are welcoming and safe. Your child’s health and safety is our top priority. Learn more.
Schedule a Virtual Visit
Our team provides patients with virtual visits using video-based programs over a secure Internet connection to the patient’s desktop computer, laptop or tablet. Virtual visits give our patients and families a direct video link with their doctor without having to travel for an appointment. Patients may discuss symptoms and clarify treatment plans from the comfort of their home or another private setting. To arrange a virtual visit, please call 617-573-3190.
Learn more about virtual visitsOverview
The Pediatric Airway, Voice and Swallowing Center, a collaboration of MassGeneral Hospital for Children and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, specializes in the treatment of children with voice disorders and airway management symptoms that affect the ability to eat, breathe or speak.
Multidisciplinary Treatment for Complex Diagnoses
Disorders involving airway, swallowing and/or voice functions are often complex and may require treatment by more than one medical specialist. The center has been developed to provide seamless care for pediatric voice disorders across multiple medical subspecialties including pediatric otolaryngology, gastroenterology and pulmonology, as well as for the full range of diagnostic testing services. Our unique multidisciplinary approach enhances diagnosis, management and communication of voice disorders and airway problems with primary care providers.
At MassGeneral Hospital for Children, we know that the time of your child’s diagnosis and treatment is a very stressful one and we strive to provide an open, welcoming environment. We believe that no one knows a child as well as the parent does: parents, along with primary care providers, become our partners in a child's care and have an active voice in all treatment plans.
Pediatric patients who may benefit from the center include those with:
- Chronic cough
- Congenital and acquired airway disorder laryngeal clefts, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngomalacia and juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
- Voice and resonance disorders (vocal nodules, cysts, velopharyngeal insufficiency, etc.)
- Paradoxical vocal fold motion
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and Eosinophilic esophagitis
The center is actively involved in clinical investigation with a goal toward improving the care of these children. Among the projects the center is focusing on are the following:
- Voice outcomes after laryngotracheal reconstruction
- The effect of gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic esophagitis as regards cough, asthma and airway stenosis
- The multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment of the adolescent population with paradoxical vocal fold motion and habitual cough
- The use of laryngeal EMG in diagnosing and treating children with vocal fold immobility and the use of nerve reinervation for treatment of this disorder
- The use of the pulsed KTP laser and novel treatments such as Avastin to treat juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
- Best-practice treatment algorithm for children with velopharyngeal insufficiency
Clinical Study: For details contact Christopher_Hartnick@meei.harvard.edu.
NIH-funded study to evaluate the efficacy of voice therapy in children ages 6 to 10 with hoarseness and vocal nodules (enrolled children will receive the therapy at no cost).
Meet the Team
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- Department of Psychiatry
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- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Director, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Director, Pediatric Airway, Voice, and Swallowing Center
- Harvard Medical School Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
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- Department of Pediatrics
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- Department of Pediatrics
Patient Resources
Patient Resources for the Pediatric Airway, Voice and Swallowing Center
Our Safe Care Commitment
Learn about the unprecedented steps MassGeneral Hospital for Children has taken to ensure that we are welcoming and safe for all medical care.
COVID-19 Resources for Families
Articles and Q&As from providers across MGHfC on how to take care of your children and yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic.