FEES is a gold-standard evaluation to assess dysphagia and aspiration. The process involves inserting an endoscope into the nose and throat to visualize anatomical structures, including the vocal folds. No anesthetic is typically needed. During the assessment, the patients are asked to swallow saliva, liquid, and food while the camera is in place, allowing for the Speech-Language Pathologist to observe aspiration (food or liquid falling into the airway) or swallow inefficiencies (material not fully moving into the esophagus, causing residue in the throat).
During the assessment, patients may be asked to say certain sounds allowing the voice box to be examined as well.
Mountain Region Speech & Hearing Center’s FEES Program is administered by Speech-Language Pathologists who are licensed in the states of Tennessee and Virginia and have received their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA. Our SLPs performing FEES studies have been fully trained in the administration of FEES and have received their Endoscopy Certification.
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