My Visit: A Deep Dive into Voice Care in Mumbai
- Pooja Vishwakarma
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
As a medical journalist, I walked into the ENT wing of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and met with Dr. Shama S Kovale — widely regarded among the Best Doctors for laryngitis treatment in Mumbai. I came seeking clarity on voice and throat disorders, especially laryngitis, and was struck by how seriously Dr. Kovale and her team treat each patient’s voice health, giving me confidence that I was indeed meeting one of Mumbai’s premier specialists.
Credentials, Clinical Experience, and the Clinic Setup
Dr. Shama S Kovale brings decades of enriched training and practice. She holds an MBBS, followed by DLO and MS in ENT from B.Y.L. Nair Hospital / Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai. Her specialisation is further sharpened by fellowships — including phonosurgery (voice), cochlear-implant surgery, and advanced training abroad (notably at UC-Davis, USA)
With over two decades (21–23 years) of clinical and surgical experience in ENT, Dr. Kovale has built a reputation in voice, swallowing, airway and minimally invasive ENT surgeries. She is now a Senior Consultant at Kokilaben Hospital, heading their dedicated Voice & Swallowing Clinic.
The Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital environment reflects modern ENT care: a multidisciplinary setup combining ENT surgeons, speech-language pathologists, audiologists and allied specialists to treat not just simple ear, nose, throat issues, but complex voice, swallowing and airway disorders. For laryngitis and other voice-related ailments, tools like videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, fibre-optic laryngoscopes and acoustic voice analysis are available — helping achieve accurate diagnosis before any intervention.
Given this infrastructure and Dr. Kovale’s expertise, her practice stands out among top-tier ENT care providers — a reliable option when one searches for an ENT Specialist in Mumbai or the Best ENT Specialist in Mumbai for voice disorders.
Why Expert Care Matters: Benefits & Risks of Laryngitis Treatments
Benefits
Accurate diagnosis before treatment: Thanks to advanced diagnostics (videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, acoustic analysis), Dr. Kovale can pinpoint whether hoarseness or throat issues stem from simple inflammation, vocal strain, acid reflux irritations, or more serious vocal-cord lesions. Early and precise diagnosis is key.
Tailored treatment suited to voice use: Especially beneficial for professional voice users — teachers, singers, presenters — since treatments range from voice therapy, medications, lifestyle changes to surgeries (when needed). This individualized approach helps restore or preserve vocal quality with minimal invasiveness.
Minimally invasive or non-surgical options available: For many cases (e.g. mild laryngitis, reflux-induced irritation, or early vocal cord lesions), non-surgical management — voice therapy, vocal hygiene, medical treatment, rest — may suffice, avoiding surgery altogether.
Comprehensive care and follow-up under one roof: From diagnosis to therapy or surgery, voice rehabilitation, swallowing therapy or airway correction — the clinic offers multidisciplinary care which can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
Risks & Considerations
Not all issues resolve without intervention: Some structural problems (polyps, cysts, granulomas, vocal cord paralysis) may not respond to voice therapy or medication — requiring surgery.
Timing matters: Ignoring persistent hoarseness or vocal strain — especially in high-voice-use individuals — may lead to chronic issues or permanent voice damage.
Surgery has inherent risks: As with any procedure, phonosurgeries or endoscopic interventions carry risks: complications from anesthesia, infection, bleeding, or potential voice changes. The need for accurate pre-surgical evaluation and patient-specific risk assessment becomes paramount.
Recovery and voice rest requirement: Post-treatment, patients may need strict rest for voice, hydration, avoiding vocal strain or irritants (like acid reflux, smoking, pollution) — today’s modern ENT care may be advanced, but success depends significantly on follow-through.
Treatment Options, Cost Range & How Dr. Kovale Approaches Them
At our discussion, Dr. Kovale laid out a range of possibilities depending on the cause and severity of the laryngitis or voice disorder:
Voice therapy and lifestyle modification — first-line for mild inflammation, vocal overuse or reflux-induced voice changes.
Medication — if acid reflux, allergies or inflammation is involved.
Clinic-based procedures — office-based fibre-optic laryngoscopy, injection laryngoplasty, Botox therapy for spasmodic dysphonia or vocal tics, useful for voice disorders without full-blown structural lesions.
Microlaryngoscopic / phonosurgical interventions — for persistent polyps, cysts, vocal cord lesions, or structural abnormalities requiring precise, minimally invasive surgery using laser or coblation technologies.
As for cost, while the clinic doesn’t publish a universal fee list — since price depends on treatment choice, diagnostics, procedure complexity, and follow-up — initial consultation fees mentioned on public sources are around ₹2,500 (with free follow-up for a week), and revisit within a month at ₹1,800. Interventions or surgeries naturally cost more, depending on required diagnostics, anesthesia, hospital stay if any, and post-operative care. Dr. Kovale advised patients to discuss the estimated cost after diagnosis — a responsible, patient-centric approach.
Precautions, Aftercare & Voice Maintenance: What Dr. Kovale Recommended
During our interview, Dr. Kovale was clear: recovery and voice preservation depend as much on aftercare and habits as on the medical intervention itself. She outlined these guidelines:
Voice rest & moderation: After any voice therapy or surgical procedure, minimize speaking, shouting, or strenuous voice use until cleared. For singers or speakers — avoid pitch-heavy training or performance until full recovery.
Hydration & vocal hygiene: Regular hydration, avoiding irritants (like smoke, dust, excessive throat clearing), and maintaining humid, clean air — especially important for chronic laryngitis or post-surgery recovery.
Address underlying causes: If reflux or allergy is contributing, follow dietary advice, treat reflux or allergies diligently; uncontrolled reflux can hinder recovery and cause repeated vocal damage.
Scheduled follow-up and voice therapy: Attend regular sessions with speech-language therapists if recommended; even after surgical treatment, voice therapy and technique training can help restore natural voice and prevent recurrence.
Avoid risk factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol, vocal abuse (screaming, prolonged shouting), and neglecting early signs of hoarseness or vocal fatigue — all can lead to chronic damage; early consultation with an ENT specialist is encouraged.
Why This Matters: The Value of Skilled ENT Care
For many people — whether a professional voice user, teacher, singer, or simply someone who values clear communication — voice isn’t just a tool, it’s part of identity. I walked away from my interview with Dr. Kovale convinced that expert care, backed by modern diagnostics, experienced judgment and a patient-centred approach, can make a real difference when voice problems arise.
When searching for trusted treatment, looking up an “ENT Specialist in Mumbai” may bring many names — but a doctor with focused training in voice, swallowing and airway, working in a full-fledged tertiary hospital like Kokilaben, offers a level of care and reassurance that stands out.
If you are dealing with persistent hoarseness, voice fatigue, or throat discomfort — especially when it interferes with your daily work or passion — early evaluation can prevent long-term damage.
A Subtle Call to Reflect & Act
If your voice is more than a tool — if it’s your identity, your livelihood, or your art — it’s worth safeguarding with expert care. Consider consulting Dr. Shama S Kovale for a thorough assessment, and remember: timely diagnosis, disciplined aftercare and vocal hygiene can make all the difference.
Let’s enhance not only our voices — but our ability to communicate, express, and connect.
📍 Clinic Address:
📞 Give Us a Ring: +91-91528 50769
📧 Email: drshamakovaleent@gmail.com
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