Welcome to the Voice Center of Long Island, (V.C.L.I.) Our team of caring voice professionals is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of voice disorders.

One of the things we take for granted is a good voice, one that is strong, easily understood, and of good quality. We have a problem  when a voice disorder interferes with our ability to communicate personally, with family and friends, or professionally, to earn a living.

A relatively minor voice disorder can have a devastating effect on professional singers, lawyers, teachers, salespeople and others, and has a worrisome effect when it interferes with one's ability to speak naturally to children, friends or grandchildren. A question often asked is, "Could my problem be cancer?"

Fortunately, most voice disorders are benign, not cancer. Our staff at V.C.L.I.. have special skills, training and treatment facilities available to care for and prevent voice problems caused by vocal misuse-overuse, reflux, infections, benign growths, cancers as well as neurologic and psychologic problems.

"The Voice Center" team includes Otolaryngologists (ENT doctors), Laryngologist (ENT doctor with subspecialty training in voice disorders), Speech Pathologists, Audiologists as well as access to Neurologists, Medical Consultants, Singing Teachers, Singing: Coaches and other professionals.

Voice disorders can occur anywhere along the vocal tract. The larynx (voice box) is located behind the Adam's Apple, and ordinarily, the human voice production consists of four parts: a generator, oscillator, resonator and articulator.

The lungs (generator) compress the air superiorly toward the undersurface of the larynx. The air stream from the lungs causes the true vocal folds i.e. vocal cords of the larynx to vibrate (oscillate) which results in a sound. Next the sound travels, (resonates up) the vocal to act towards the mouth and nose, giving sound a unique richness and timbre. Finally, the articulators - palate, cheeks, lips and teeth - shape the sound modified by the resonators into speech.

Hoarseness, one of the symptoms of a vice problem can be caused, for example, by screaming too loudly at a sports event or can be an early sign of throat cancer. If hoarseness or voice disorder persists for more than two weeks and has not been associated with a cold or allergy, an evaluation at "The Voice Center" can be very useful.

The purpose of "The Voice Center" is to implement a caring, well planned, individualized program to diagnose, treat and maintain a healthy voice using the best resources at our disposal. If you have a concern or questions about the quality, pitch, loudness or strength of your voice please telephone the V.C.L.I. at (516) 931-5552. We will do our best to solve your voice problems.

                                                                                Joseph R. Anticaglia, M.D.