Voice, Throat, Airway and Swallowing Services

Hoarseness and voice change are among the most common reasons patients seek laryngological assessment. Mr Cosway provides thorough evaluation and personalised treatment for the full range of voice disorders, including:

•       Hoarseness (Dysphonia) – Persistent or unexplained change in voice quality, pitch or volume.

•       Vocal Fold Nodules – Benign lesions caused by vocal overuse or strain, common in singers, teachers and other frequent voice users.

•       Vocal Fold Polyps & Cysts – Soft tissue growths affecting vocal fold vibration and voice quality.

•       Vocal Fold Paralysis & Paresis – Weakness or immobility of one or both vocal folds, affecting voice and sometimes breathing or swallowing.

•       Muscle Tension Dysphonia – A functional voice disorder caused by excessive tension in the muscles surrounding the larynx.

•       Reinke's Oedema – Fluid accumulation within the vocal folds, often associated with smoking.

•       Laryngitis – Acute or chronic inflammation of the larynx causing voice change or loss.

For professional and high-level voice users, the voice is not just a means of communication — it is a finely tuned instrument and, in many cases, a livelihood. The consequences of vocal injury can be significant, and assessment requires both specialist clinical expertise and a genuine understanding of the demands of performance.

Mr Cosway is uniquely placed to provide this care. As an accomplished singer who has performed at national stadiums and West End venues, he understands first-hand the physical and psychological pressures placed on the performing voice. His roles as the laryngology representative for the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and council member of the British Laryngology Association (BLA) reflects his standing in this specialist field nationally.

He provides expert assessment and management for:

•       Singers – At all levels, from amateur choral singers to touring professionals.

•       Actors & Stage Performers – Including those with heavy performance schedules or voice-intensive roles.

•       Broadcasters & Media Professionals – Where vocal clarity and stamina are essential.

•       Teachers, Public Speakers and other Professional Voice Users – Frequent voice users at high risk of vocal strain and overuse injury.

•       Anyone whose voice is central to their work or identity – Specialist assessment rather than a general ENT opinion.

All professional voice patients are assessed using laryngeal videostroboscopy at the Freeman Hospital, allowing for detailed evaluation of vocal fold vibration that is not possible with standard endoscopy. This is essential for identifying subtle pathology and guiding precise treatment decisions.

Persistent throat symptoms are a frequent source of anxiety and discomfort. Mr Cosway provides thorough investigation and management for:

•       Globus Sensation – The persistent feeling of something stuck in the throat, in the absence of a physical obstruction.

•       Chronic Throat Clearing & Irritation – Often related to laryngeal hypersensitivity.

•       Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia) – Discomfort or difficulty swallowing, requiring careful assessment of the throat and oesophageal inlet.

•       Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction – Abnormal function of the upper oesophageal sphincter causing swallowing difficulty.

Airway problems can cause breathing difficulty, noisy breathing or a sensation of tightness in the throat. Mr Cosway assesses and manages a range of laryngeal and subglottic airway conditions, including:

•       Subglottic & Glottic Stenosis – Narrowing of the airway below or at the level of the vocal folds, causing breathing difficulty.