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In the BLA Connections: A Clear Voice episode, host Natalie Watson interviews Professor David Howard, the founding president of the British Laryngological Association (BLA). The conversation reflects on the history and development of the BLA and the vital role of laryngology in speech and language therapy. Professor Howard shares insights into his career, from his early interest in physiology and surgical innovations to his current work on a negative pressure ventilator designed to improve respiratory support globally. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of innovation in medicine, including the slow process of gaining widespread adoption.

Professor Howard also discusses his continued involvement in teaching, training, and international work. Prof Howard reflects on his experiences with the Everest medical research team, his collaboration with engineers and clinicians, and the importance of bridging disciplines to address global health challenges. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
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In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with keynote speaker Prof Nupur Nerurkar, who joined the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2024 in London. Nupur shares her expertise on vocal fold cysts, sulci, and mucosal bridges, detailing insights from her research and clinical practice. She discusses advancements in diagnosing and treating these challenging conditions, including her laser-assisted techniques and classifications that aim to improve outcomes for patients.

Prof Nerurkar also highlights the role of hydration in preventing vocal fold cysts, the importance of tailored surgical techniques, and the significance of involving speech therapists in post-surgical care. The conversation concludes with a look at mucosal bridges, their complexities, and opportunities for future research.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this recording of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson speaks with Dr. Anaïs Rameau from Weill Cornell Medicine, New York during the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2024. They explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in laryngology, introducing concepts like "Audiomics" and "Videomics" to describe the use of AI for analyzing voice and video data. 

Dr. Rameau discusses AI's potential to improve access to care, standardize clinical assessments, and support monitoring of treatments from home, while also addressing important ethical considerations around privacy and equitable access.

The episode highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and patients to ensure responsible AI integration into practice. 

Dr. Rameau encourages clinicians to stay engaged with AI developments, whether by reviewing research, advocating for patients, or contributing to data standards. For more information, visit the BLA website, where members and conference delegates can access the 2024 presentations on Talking Slides.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson interviews Prof Marc Remacle, reflecting on his 30-year career in laryngology. The discussion explores advancements in diagnostic and surgical techniques, including CO2 lasers, low-power lasers, and improvements in video endoscopy. 

Prof Remacle highlights the evolution from open cancer surgeries to transoral approaches and the growing role of in-office procedures facilitated by enhanced tools such as blue lasers and anterior injection laryngoplasty. He also discusses the future potential of high-speed video over stroboscopy for improved diagnostic accuracy and the development of exoscopes for simpler and more effective surgical workflows.

During the Cutting Edge Laryngology 2024 conference Prof Remacle 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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The final episodes of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, Series 6 provides an overview of highlights from the Cutting Edge Laryngology 2024 conference in London. Host Natalie Watson introduces keynote speakers, including Prof Marc Remacle, reflecting on 30 years of work in laryngology; Dr Anais Rameau, discussing the role of artificial intelligence in the future of the field; and Dr Nupur Nerurkar, covering vocal fold cysts, sulci, and mucosal bridges. Additional contributions include Prof Martin Birchall discussing soft robotics and Prof David Howard reflecting on his career and advancements in laryngology, how far we have come and where we are going.  Conference talks are also available on Talking Slides for BLA members and delegates.

In the episode, Profs Remacale and Birchall focus on the use of soft and hard robotics in medicine. Hard robotics, commonly used in surgeries, have limitations in laryngology due to size and access challenges. Soft robotics, inspired by biological systems, offer potential for flexible applications such as dynamic vocal cord implants and adaptable surgical tools, though further development is required. Both professors highlight the importance of combining artificial intelligence with robotics to improve precision and outcomes. The podcast provides an informative summary of recent advancements and ongoing innovations in laryngology.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson speaks with Professors James Hull and Surinder Birring, leading experts in respiratory medicine, to discuss the challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic cough.

Chronic cough, affecting 5-10% of the population (primarily women), is a debilitating condition often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. It can significantly impact quality of life with symptoms such as urinary incontinence, throat irritation, and headaches.

Professors Hull and Birring explain how chronic cough is now recognised as a neurological condition linked to nerve hypersensitivity, moving away from being seen as just a symptom of asthma, reflux, or nasal disease. Questions explored and answered in this episode cover why chronic cough is frequently misdiagnosed. How is cough hypersensitivity syndrome changing the approach to treatment? and what are the latest advancements in therapies, including new treatments like Gefapixant, that offer hope for managing nerve sensitivity and improving patient outcomes?

Top three takeaways:

• Chronic cough is common and frequently misdiagnosed, leading to a cycle of treatments for conditions like asthma, reflux, or nasal disease, which may not be the root cause.
• Cough hypersensitivity syndrome reframes chronic cough as a neurological condition, prompting a shift in treatment focus.
• Promising treatments, such as Gefapixant, aim to address nerve sensitivity, offering new hope for chronic cough sufferers.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Resource Links

ISSC Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire: https://www.issc.info/HullCoughHypersensitivityQuestionnaire.html

Article:  Development of a symptom-specific health status measure for patients with chronic cough: Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1746649/pdf/v058p00339.pdf

Article: Development and validation of the Newcastle laryngeal hypersensitivity questionnaire

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3931290/

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this episode of the podcast, host Natalie Watson explores the comprehensive management of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), bringing together three top experts:  Dr Andile Sibiya from South Africa, Mr Adam Donne from the UK, and Prof Craig Derkay from the USA. The discussion covers various aspects of RRP, including differences in patient presentation and healthcare systems across the three countries, the impact of HPV vaccination, and evolving treatment modalities. 

Dr. Sibiya discusses the challenges in South Africa, highlighting delays in diagnosis and access to specialized ENT services, particularly for pediatric patients. She emphasizes the need for centralizing care for younger children and the limitations posed by a tiered healthcare system. Sibiya also mentions the significant disease burden and the approach of using surgery as a primary treatment, with consideration for adjuvant therapies, despite limited access to certain treatments like Bevacizumab.

Adam Donne outlines the situation in the UK, where the National Health Service facilitates early referral for hoarseness, a red flag symptom. He notes the prevalence of RRP and the transition from primarily surgical treatments to incorporating adjuvant therapies such as the Quadrivalent vaccine, Cidofovir, and Bevacizumab. Donne underscores the importance of specialist centres and the evolving treatment landscape, reflecting a shift towards medical management.

Craig Derkay provides insights from the US, describing the typical presentation of RRP in children and adults and the role of tertiary care centres in managing the disease. He highlights the promising results of intravenous Bevacizumab in reducing the need for repeated surgeries and the psychological burden on patients. Derkay also discusses the potential of new DNA vaccines in phase three trials, which show promise in significantly reducing or even curing RRP.

The episode concludes with a consensus on the need for earlier adoption of adjuvant therapies to minimize long-term damage and improve patient outcomes, alongside excitement about future developments in vaccine research. The experts agree on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving patients and families in treatment decisions and maintaining a focus on innovative solutions to improve the care and prognosis of RRP patients.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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When it comes to exploring the vast field of laryngology, few events promise the depth and breadth of insight as the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference—coming on 2-4 October 2024, showcasing the latest advances in our field. 

In this special episode of the podcast, Natalie meets with Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from Idiopathic subglottic stenosis to vocal cord paralysis, laryngology to AI, Laryngeal dysfunction to dysphagia – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered! 

This year, the conference will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine, London.  There will be three keynote speakers: Marc Remacle, '30 years of laryngology, what did I learn?' Anais Rameau, 'AI, is it the future of laryngology?' and Nupur Nerurkar, 'Vocal fold cysts, sulci and mucosal bridges – The difficult family.'

At the conference, there will be six to seven free papers, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Each year, the best oral and poster presentation will be awarded the David Howard Prize. Abstract submissions are open until the 7th of June 2024. 

Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with ENT surgeon Dr Andile Sibiya about laryngology care in South Africa, and the unique challenges facing the population in terms of the size of the area and population, and the huge reliance on limited public health services.

When Dr Sibiya first started in the province, she was tasked with re-strategising the entire ENT service. She spent a lot of time visiting different facilities to determine areas that were being underserved, laryngology being one of them.

In the latter half of the episode, there is a discussion about innovations like the Trachealator that have been transformational to the community as a whole, emphasising the significant role of collaboration and training in improving patient outcomes. As well as discussions around access to training and other development opportunities.

We hope you enjoy this insightful episode.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

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In this episode, our host, Natalie Watson, invites  Fiona Gillies, Emma Webber, and Sarah Wallace OBE, to discuss post-COVID effects on the larynx and the long COVID project run by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists. 

The RCSLT project is led by a dedicated group of professionals working to create patient handbooks, fact sheets, and data collection tools. These resources aim to provide clinicians and patients with a deeper understanding of long COVID and its implications on speech and swallowing, aiding in effectively managing these complications.

The conversation continues, covering a critical care perspective and the trends emerging from patients admitted with COVID to ITU to post-critical care follow-up clinics to outpatient care and the presenting symptoms of long COVID who have not received critical care. What are the treatments available to offer? 

 COVID-19's impact on the larynx and the role of speech therapy in recovery is a complex and rapidly evolving area. More research and data to further understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the larynx is required and will be instrumental in guiding future treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes.

Input into new long COVID guidance | RCSLT

We hope you enjoy listening. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Join our waitlist for the 2025 conference at the Royal Society of Medicine London here.

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on X, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.