Surreal illustration of vocal cords with data visualizations

Finding Your Voice: How New Tech Is Helping Doctors Treat Vocal Cord Injuries

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the latest advancements in vocal fold motion tracking and how they're changing the game for patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury."

Imagine not being able to speak clearly, struggling to swallow, or constantly feeling short of breath. These are the realities for many individuals suffering from recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, a common complication of neck surgeries. This type of injury leads to vocal fold paralysis, impacting essential functions and significantly diminishing quality of life.

Traditionally, assessing vocal fold (VF) motion has relied on subjective evaluations, often involving visual assessments and rating scales. While these methods provide some insight, they are prone to variability and may miss subtle yet crucial changes in VF function. This is where innovative technology steps in to revolutionize the field.

Recent research has focused on developing objective, quantitative methods for analyzing VF motion. One such advancement is a custom-designed motion-analysis software that promises to transform how we understand and treat RLN injuries. This technology offers a more precise and repeatable way to detect even minor VF dysfunction, paving the way for better diagnostics and more effective therapies.

How Does This New Vocal Fold Tracking Tech Work?

Surreal illustration of vocal cords with data visualizations

The new software, comprised of VFTrack and VFQuantify, offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing VF motion. VFTrack is a motion-tracking component, while VFQuantify is an analytics module that computes a set of objective, quantitative outcome measures. These measures describe VF motion dynamics, enabling objective comparisons across time and populations.

The software meticulously tracks the movement of the vocal folds, measuring various parameters such as amplitude, frequency, range, and symmetry. Here’s a breakdown of how the system works:

Transoral Laryngoscopy: A small endoscope is inserted into the mouth to visualize the vocal folds. Unlike studies involving humans, the use of anesthesia is necessary in animal models.
VF Tracking: VFTrack identifies and tracks specific points on the vocal folds throughout the video recording.
Data Analysis: VFQuantify analyzes the tracking data to generate objective measures of VF motion.
Outcome Measures: The software calculates metrics like Mean Motion Range Ratio (MMRR) and Open Close Cycle Ratio (OCCR) to assess VF function.

The accuracy of the VFTrack software was validated by comparing its results with manual tracking performed by independent reviewers. The automated system drastically reduces the time required for analysis while maintaining high reliability.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Voice Treatment?

This innovative software represents a significant step forward in the assessment and treatment of vocal fold injuries. By providing objective, quantitative data, it enables clinicians to better understand the nuances of VF dysfunction and monitor treatment progress more effectively. Ongoing research is focused on adapting this technology for use in human patients, with the goal of improving diagnostics and tailoring therapies to individual needs. Imagine a future where voice disorders are diagnosed earlier, treated more effectively, and managed with greater precision, thanks to the power of advanced motion-analysis technology.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/lary.27609, Alternate LINK

Title: Automated Quantification Of Vocal Fold Motion In A Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury Mouse Model

Subject: Otorhinolaryngology

Journal: The Laryngoscope

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Megan M. Haney, Ali Hamad, Emily Leary, Filiz Bunyak, Teresa E. Lever

Published: 2018-11-26

Everything You Need To Know

What challenges do individuals face with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and how is new technology offering hope for recovery?

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, often a result of neck surgeries, can lead to vocal fold paralysis. This paralysis significantly impacts functions like speaking and breathing, diminishing overall quality of life. The innovative motion-analysis software VFTrack and VFQuantify, offer objective, quantitative data which enable clinicians to better understand the nuances of VF dysfunction and monitor treatment progress more effectively.

How does the motion-analysis software, VFTrack and VFQuantify, precisely track and analyze vocal fold motion, and what are the key steps involved in the assessment process?

The new software system employs VFTrack for motion-tracking of the vocal folds and VFQuantify for analytics. First, Transoral Laryngoscopy is performed by inserting a small endoscope to visualize the vocal folds. Then, VFTrack identifies and tracks specific points on the vocal folds throughout the video recording. Finally, VFQuantify analyzes the tracking data to generate objective measures of vocal fold motion, calculating metrics like Mean Motion Range Ratio (MMRR) and Open Close Cycle Ratio (OCCR) to assess vocal fold function.

What specific parameters and metrics does the motion-analysis software measure to provide a comprehensive assessment of vocal fold function?

The motion-analysis software, comprised of VFTrack and VFQuantify, measures parameters such as amplitude, frequency, range, and symmetry of the vocal folds. By assessing metrics like the Mean Motion Range Ratio (MMRR) and Open Close Cycle Ratio (OCCR), clinicians can gain a more complete understanding of vocal fold dynamics and function. These measurements help in the diagnosis and monitoring of vocal fold injuries.

How does the motion-analysis software improve upon traditional methods of assessing vocal fold motion, and what are the advantages of using objective, quantitative measurements?

The motion-analysis software focuses on objective, quantitative measurements, this reduces variability and enhances precision in assessing vocal fold (VF) function. The software uses VFTrack and VFQuantify to provide a more precise and repeatable way to detect even minor VF dysfunction. Unlike subjective methods, the use of automated system drastically reduces the time required for analysis while maintaining high reliability.

What are the future goals for adapting the motion-analysis technology for use in human patients, and how might this impact the treatment of vocal fold injuries related to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury?

The ultimate goal is to adapt motion-analysis technology for use in human patients. This involves refining the system to be less invasive and more comfortable for human subjects, ensuring that the data collected is accurate and relevant for clinical decision-making. Further research will also focus on tailoring therapies to individual needs based on the objective data provided by the software, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for vocal fold injuries related to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.