Instrumental Assessment

Sometimes it is necessary for Speech and Language Therapists to do further instrumental assessments of the swallow to obtain an objective view of what is happening inside your throat when you eat and drink.

Videofluoroscopy

This is an assessment of the swallow done under video x-ray in the x-ray department – Radiology NNUH. During this assessment the Speech and Language Therapist will give you food and drinks of varying consistency. The therapist will be able to watch the food or drink as you swallow it. This allows the therapist to see if there are any problems with your swallow and if things are 'going down the wrong way'. 

FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)

This is an assessment of the swallow done with a camera that is inserted into the nose and that looks down into the throat. The therapist will give you different things to eat and drink and will be able to watch what happens as you swallow. Similarly to a videofluoroscopy, the therapist will be able to see if there are any problems and if things are going down towards the lungs.