The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis and Management of Laryngeal Disorders

Dear Editor,

Laryngeal disorders are a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. ¹ These disorders can range from mild hoarseness to severe vocal cord damage that requires surgery. However, the diagnosis and management of these disorders can be challenging and often requires the expertise of a trained healthcare professional. ¹ In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool in the diagnosis and management of laryngeal disorders. ² Diagnosis of laryngeal disorders traditionally relies on subjective assessments by trained healthcare professionals. However, these assessments are limited by inter-rater variability and can be influenced by the evaluator’s personal biases. AI algorithms, on the other hand, can objectively analyze voice recordings and provide a quantitative assessment of voice quality. ² One example of such an AI system is the acoustic voice analysis (AVA) tool. The AVA tool uses machine learning algorithms to analyze voice recordings and provides an objective assessment of voice quality. ³ This tool can detect subtle changes in voice quality that may be missed by the human ear. It has been used successfully in the diagnosis and monitoring of laryngeal disorders, including dysphonia, vocal fold paralysis, and laryngeal cancer. ⁴ AI algorithms can also help with the differential diagnosis of laryngeal disorders. Few research studies reported that AI systems could accurately differentiate between different types of dysphonia with a sensitivity of 90% to 95% and a specificity of 80% to 85%. This level of accuracy is comparable to that of expert human evaluators, highlighting the potential of AI in the diagnosis of laryngeal disorders.^5,6

Management of laryngeal disorders often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including voice therapy, surgery, and medication. AI can play a role in optimizing treatment outcomes by providing personalized treatment plans based on the patient’s individual needs. An AI system called VocaliD can analyze a patient’s voice recordings and create a personalized synthetic voice. ⁷ This can be particularly useful for patients who have lost their ability to speak due to vocal cord damage or other medical conditions. The personalized synthetic voice can help restore the patient’s ability to communicate effectively, improving their quality of life. AI can also help with the optimization of voice therapy. Voice therapy is a common treatment for voice disorders, but it can be time-consuming and costly. AI-based systems can provide personalized voice therapy exercises based on the patient’s individual needs. ⁷ This can reduce the duration and cost of therapy while still achieving optimal treatment outcomes. AI has already demonstrated its potential in the diagnosis and management of laryngeal disorders. However, there is still much to be explored in this field. Future research can focus on the development of more sophisticated AI algorithms that can analyze voice recordings in real time and provide instantaneous feedback to patients and healthcare professionals.

In conclusion, AI has the potential to revolutionize the field of laryngology by providing objective assessments of voice quality, differential diagnosis of laryngeal disorders, and personalized treatment plans. However, it is important to note that AI is not a replacement for human expertise. Rather, it is a tool that can complement the expertise of healthcare professionals, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.