Both of the scopes have light sources in them that illuminate the voicebox. As you are asked to say various sounds, a moving picture of the vocal cords as they vibrate is recorded and displayed on a television monitor. This recording can then be replayed at a later time for detailed examination. The examination is simple. It is not painful, although at times you may feel like you want to swallow.
Most people tolerate the procedure quite easily.
A few people require a slight spray of a topical anesthetic to make the scope more comfortable as it enters the nose or mouth. This results in a numbing effect which wears off in approximately one hour. You are able to see the recording while it is being made, if you wish, and can talk quite easily during the examination. This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.