Q: I am 32 years old, working as a lecturer in an engineering college since the last five years. Since the last two years I am not having a clear voice. I went to an ENT doctor and he found that I suffer from vocal nodules, which is a common problem for lecturers. He advised me to go for surgery. Do I need surgery or can I solve this problem with speech therapy only?

A:Speech therapy is the ideal first line of treatment. Then some medical therapy if the nodules are soft and solitary, if all fails then surgery. Surgery is simple and if done in expert hands, nothing to worry. Nodules may recur if the strain on vocal cords remains the same and there is no good vocal hygiene. So prevention is better than cure.