A Clear Voice
A Clear Voice is a podcast from the British Laryngological Association. It explores topics in laryngology, including airway, voice, and swallowing disorders, as well as health promotion. The show discusses pressing issues with leading experts from around the world. It aims to offer useful insights, knowledge, and guidance while cutting through the noise in the field.
Episodes
Markus Hess: Innovation, Mentorship and the Art of Voice Care
Do you have a question? Send it hereWhat does it take to keep pushing the boundaries of voice care while never losing sight of the person behind the voice?Recorded during this year’s Cutting Edge Laryngology, shortly after his keynote and the presentation of the Isshiki Award, this special episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice sees our very own Natalie Watson sit down with Professor Markus Hes
Beyond the Programme: Why Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 is Unmissable
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this special episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson is joined by BLA President Nicholas Gibbins and President-Elect Chadwan Al Yaghchi to look ahead to Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026, the BLA’s biggest and most ambitious meeting yet.Nick and Chad explore how Cutting Edge Laryngology has evolved since 2011 and why it offers something tra
Conversation First: Reflections on Jackie Gartner-Schmidt’s Keynote and Conversation Training Therapy
Do you have a question? Send it hereThis episode of BLA Connections A Clear Voice, hosted by Natalie Watson, features a follow-up conversation with Jackie Gartner-Schmidt after her keynote presentation at the British Laryngological Association (BLA) Conference 2025. Dr Gartner-Schmidt discusses Conversation Training Therapy (CTT), an approach that begins with everyday conversation rather than trad
Presidential Handover: Building on Strong Foundations for the Future of the BLA
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson marks the handover of the British Laryngological Association presidency from Mr Declan Costello to Mr Nicholas Gibbins. Declan reflects on his two-year term, highlighting the steady development of the Association’s foundations, including a new website, improved membership systems and strength
An Interview with founding BLA president Prof David Howard
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 h
Innovations and Challenges in Vocal Fold Surgery with Prof Nupur Nerurkar
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 con
The Future of Laryngology, AI, Robotics, and Pioneering Innovations in Voice and Airway Care with Anais Rameau
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 f
30 years of laryngology, what did I learn? An interview with Prof Marc Remacle
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 surger
Robotic Technology in Laryngology with Professors Marc Remacle and Martin Birchall
Do you have a question? Send it hereThe final episodes of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, current series 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 fut
Understanding Chronic Cough and Cough Hypersensitivity Syndrome with Professors James Hull and Surinder Birring
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 misunderst
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) all you need to know - approaches from around the world
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 presentatio
The Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2024 with Chadwan Al Yaghchi
Do you have a question? Send it hereWhen 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
Navigating Laryngology Care in South Africa with Dr Andile Sibiya
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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
Post-COVID effects on the larynx: an SLT perspective
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn 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 collecti
Exploring Chronic Cough with Prof Ahmed Geneid
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Ahmed Geneid, head of the Phoniatrics Department, Helsinki University Hospital of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, to discuss chronic cough, a common issue in laryngology exploring the leading causes of chronic cough, including factors like asthma, smoking, pollutants, reflux, and ACE inhibitors.
Mr Declan Costello on Singing and Laryngology
Do you have a question? Send it hereHave you ever considered the connection between singing and laryngology? In this episode, Declan Costello, a celebrated consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon, ENT and Audiology News editor and current President of the British Laryngological Association, explores this topic with host Natalie Watson. With a background as a Choral Scholar at St John's Col
Handover of the BLA Presidency from Prof Guri Sandhu and Mr Declan Costello
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA, Mr Declan Costello and Prof Guri Sandhu.Prof Sandhu is a founding member of the BLA and immediate past President of the Laryngology & Rhinology section at the RSM. He is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon at Imperial College and The Royal Brom
THRIVEing for Shared-Airway Excellence
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, to discuss how to oxygenate our patients whilst operating on the larynx under general anaesthetic. Prof Nouraei walks us step-by-step through THRIVE and other tubeless ven
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and laryngology
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode of BLA Connections, A Clear Voice, we are joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queens Medical Center, Nottingham, UK, to discuss the exciting subject of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of laryngology and global healthcare.AI gives us the ability to classify voice signals, devel
The Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference 2022 with Chadwan Al Yaghchi
Do you have a question? Send it hereCutting Edge Laryngology 2022 is coming on the 22-23 September 2022, showcasing the latest advances in our field. In this special episode of the podcast Natalie meets with Associate Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from dysphagia to airway management, speech and
Age-related changes to the voice and larynx with Dr Aaron Johnson
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode of A Clear Voice, we speak with Dr Aaron Johnson about age-related changes to the larynx. Following a decade-long career as a professional classical singer and singing teacher, Dr Johnson trained to be a Speech and Language Pathologist. He now works at NYU Langone’s Voice Centre and researches the effects of vocal training, voice use and ageing o
A patient’s experience of airway stenosis – essential listening for patients and clinicians
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this very special episode, Natalie Watson is joined by Charlie Harper to tell us his personal experience of airway stenosis. Charlie shares his advice to other patients going through similar experiences, as well as his incredibly valuable thoughts on how we as healthcare professionals can do better for our patients.After experiencing severe symptoms including
Persistent Throat Symptoms
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to the latest episode of BLA Connect, A Clear Voice, where we join host, Natalie Watson and Mr James O’Hara, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant Otolaryngologist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, to talk about a topic that is incredibly common in the laryngology clinic – persistent throat symptoms.James and Natalie di
The Management of Airway Stenosis with Prof Guri Sandhu
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome back to a new series of BLA Connections – A Clear Voice. In today’s episode we talk to Professor Guri Sandhu about the management of airway stenosis.“That's what got me interested, because you could improve someone's quality of life immensely in a relatively short timeframe.”Professor Guri Sandhu works in the national Airway Centre for Airway R
Introducing Series 4 of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice
Do you have a question? Send it hereAs we embark on Series 4, host Natalie Watson invites Heather Pownall, the producer of 'A Clear Voice', onto the show to discuss the original vision for the podcast and what to expect from the new series. Natalie looks back on her guiding aims for the podcast, to educate, build a community and to give a voice to all those associated with laryngology –
Dysphagia therapy with Justin Roe and Gemma Clunie from the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction
Do you have a question? Send it hereJustin Roe is the Speech and Language Therapist representative for the BLA. He works at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction treating people with laryngotracheal stenosis and a wide range of swallowing problems. Gemma Clunie is a specialist dysphagia speech and language therapist also working at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction at Charing C
Justin Roe, an overview of the 2021 BLA Virtual Annual Conference Programme
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to this weeks instalment of BLA Connections: A Clear VoiceIn this episode, Natalie Watson is joined by fellow BLA Council member, Justin Roe who is the SLT representative for the BLA, to discuss the programme for the upcoming BLA Virtual Annual Conference taking place on 24th September. He was also one of the conference organisers and give a fantastic
The management of cricopharyngeal hypertrophy and small pharyngeal pouches
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome back to BLA Connections: a clear voice with your host Natalie Watson, bringing you discussions and insights from experts from across the globe on all things laryngology.In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing a lesser-known area of laryngology – the management of cricopharyngeal hypertrophy and small pharyngeal pouches with our guest, Kate Heathcote. Kat
Wellbeing Part 2 with Dr Tim Anstiss
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn our second Wellbeing episode, we welcome Dr Tim Anstiss, health and wellbeing coach and behaviour change specialist. Tim works with NHS trusts, local authorities, health charities, sports organisations and a wide range of companies. He has been involved in several international behaviour change initiatives. Having studied medicine at Southampton University, D
Wellbeing with Dr Fiona Day
Do you have a question? Send it here“Radical self-care it is the foundation that the rest of your life and your career is based on.”In the first of our Wellbeing episodes, Natalie speaks with master practitioner, coach and mentor, Dr Fiona Day MBChB, FFPH, Dip Occ Med about her experience of coaching over 200 doctors and healthcare professionals. Fiona shares the most common career challenges her
Handover of the BLA Presidency from Mr Mark Watson to Mr Guri Sandhu
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA, Guri Sandhu and Mark Watson. Mark Watson FRCS has worked in Doncaster and Bassetlaw since 1992 where he has held a number of leadership posts. He has served as a regional and national representative and lead for many regional and national ENT and head and neck groups a
A UK perspective on the neurolaryngology MDT
Do you have a question? Send it here“Our best times are when a patient comes to us and says ‘for a bit, I forgot I had dystonia’, and then we really know we’ve got it right.”In this episode we speak with two phenomenal neurolaryngology duos and explore their decades of experience working together to improve patients' lives.Marie-Hélène Marion is a neurologist with over 30 years' experien
Introducing Series 3 of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice
Do you have a question? Send it hereWe are now in our third series of BLA Connections – A Clear Voice and series 3. It is a full year since we launched this podcast on behalf of the BLA. It has been a difficult and challenging 12 months, to say the least. The initial desire to create this podcast series was to bridge the gap of the lack of face to face meetings and provide support and guidance
Dr Amanda Richards offers an Australian perspective on Laryngological aspects of COVID-19
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this epsiode, Dr Amanda Richards joins Natalie Watson to discuss dealing with COVID-19 in the Southern Hemisphere and how a public hospital system can make up for lost time when it is already stretched, and what impact has this disruption had on patients well being? In this episode:1:44 Q1. What has been your experience of COVID 19 in your centre?3:51 Q2. Hav
Prof Martin Birchall returns to discuss Laryngological aspects of COVID-19 six months on
Do you have a question? Send it hereIn this episode, we welcome back Prof Martin Birchall as he reflects, comments and shares his insights on COVID-19 six months on, the impact on individuals and laryngology as a whole, as well as the future of laryngology post-COVID using new technologies.In this episode:1:43 Q1. Reflecting back on our previous episode, is there anything you would like to expand,
The management of transgender voice with Chadwan Al Yaghchi
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to episode 4. of 'A Clear Voice'. In this episode, we are taking a break in discussing the issues surrounding COVID-19 as Chadwan Al Yaghchi discusses 'The management of transgender voice.' In this episode:1:42 Q1. What got you interested in transgender voice?2:40 Q2. How do you approach the management? 5:47 Q3. It certainly requi
Patient experience COVID-19: Transition from Surgeon to Patient
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to episode 3. In early March 2020 ENT surgeon Nick Gibbins contracted COVID-19. Here he discusses his personal journey with Natalie Watson from the moments he realised he had the virus, to his recovery and how this experience has impacted his practice. In this episode:2:00 Q1. Early on in the COVID 19 pandemic, you contracted the infection. Can you talk
The Manchester Voice Clinic on Virtual Clinics
Do you have a question? Send it hereNatalie Watson is joined by Sadie Khwaja, Joanne Favilli and Paul McKenna of the Machester Voice Clinic to discuss their experience during the pandemic and the need to pivot to virtual clinics. Manchester Voice Clinic Team Bio's Sadie Khwaja - Consultant Laryngologist based in Manchester, serving the Great Manchester area and tertiary referrals from out
Sam Majumdar on Training and Leadership
Do you have a question? Send it hereSam Majumdar joins Natalie Watson to discuss training and leadership and the impact, disruption and opportunity COVID-19 has caused and presented over the last seven months. In this episode:2:22 Q1. How do you think COVID has affected training in your area?11:15 Q2. You run a number of courses, how do you feel courses have been affected by COVID and how can we r
Dr Paul Bryson of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA on COVID-19 and Laryngology
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to our final episode of series one of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice Dr. Paul Bryson chats with Natalie Watson to give his perspective from the U.S. from March 2020 to the 15th of June when we recorded this episode. Update: Since the time of recording, the USA has witnessed an increase in Covid-19 infection cases with several states experiencing a surge,
Michelle Wyatt and Claire Frauenfelder on Paediatric ENT and Covid-19
Do you have a question? Send it hereThis week Natalie Watson interviewed Michelle Wyatt and Claire Frauenfelder of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) as they finished a busy shift. In this episode, the recent paper, 'Practical insights for paediatric otolaryngology surgical cases and performing microlaryngobronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic' written by the paediatric ENT team is
Ekpemi Irune and Anne Weitzenkorn on Dysphagia and Covid-19: A multidisciplinary approach
Do you have a question? Send it hereA Clear Voice is recorded during lockdown and this week Natalie Watson is joined by Ekpemi Irune and Anne Weitzenkorn to discuss Dysphagia and Covid-19 from a multidisciplinary approach. In this episode3:08 Q1. So how have you approached your management of patients with COVID-19 post-extubation dysphagia?7:01 Q2. We are recommencing investigations for dysphagi
Taran Tatla on Exiting the Pandemic - Final Consensus Guidelines for Laryngology
Do you have a question? Send it hereAs we continue to bring you A Clear Voice through lockdown Taran Tatla joins Natalie Watson to discuss and explore the impact of Covid-19 and laryngology. In this episode, we look to the future and talk through the BLA and ENTUK guidelines (endorsed by the RCSLT) a graduated return to elective activities for laryngology within the COVID 19 pandemic.In this episo
Yakubu Karagama on further lessons learned from COVID-19 and the next steps on managing surgical services
Do you have a question? Send it hereYakubu Karagama chats with Natalie Watson on further lessons to learn and insights from treating patients with Covid-19 and the next steps we need to adopt to restart surgical services.In this episode3:05 Question 1. From your observations, what practical measures would you suggest to minimise long-term sequelae of laryngotracheal Covid-19?6:32 Question 2. Are t
Prof Martin Birchall on laryngological aspects of COVID-19
Do you have a question? Send it hereProf Martin Birchall joins Natalie Watson to record the first-ever episode of BLA Connections during lockdown sharing his insights into the laryngological aspects of COVID-19.In this Episode2:31 Question 1. COVID 19 seems to be markedly heterogenous in its clinical presentation ranging from people reporting no symptoms to multi-organ failure. From your experienc
Introducing: A Clear Voice
Do you have a question? Send it hereWelcome to the British Laryngological Association's podcast series, BLA Connections - A clear voice. A podcast series for the ENT, medical, and allied professional fields offering support, guidance, and discussion around specific topics, breaking research and updated guidelines. The opinions of our host and guests are their own. Thank you for listening.Con
