New York Speech and Hearing offers several options for the evaluation of swallowing disorders:

1. Clinical Swallowing Evaluation
Uses no instrumentation, the speech pathologist will be able to assess the oral stage and the oral transport stage of the swallow. A screening of the pharyngeal stage of the swallow is completed, thus identifying whether a problem exists and if further testing is available.

2. Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing with Sensory Testing (FEESST)
FEESST is a state--of-the art exam that allows for direct assessment of the motor and sensory aspects of the swallow in order to precisely guide the dietary and behavioral management of patients with swallowing problems.

FEEST involves the passage of a thin, flexible fiberoptic endoscope through the nose into the pharynx, to enable a direct view of the throat. This is completed by a highly trained professional who specializes in dysphagia care. It is an outpatient, in-office procedure.

FEESST is a two part test. The first part of the test assesses sensation in the larynx in order to illicit an airway protective reflex. The second part of the test involves giving food to the patient (with green food coloring mixed in) and watching/ tracking where the food travels in the throat region.

3. Modified Barium Swallow (MBS)
MBS also enables a view of the throat during a swallow, however this is completed via X-Ray. The MBS test enables a direct evaluation of the motor aspects o the swallow, also to be used as guidance for the dietary and behavioral management of swallowing disorders.

Because this test is an X-Ray, it must be completed in a hospital setting that has a radiology department. The test involves the administration of different foods and liquids – all mixed with small amounts of barium – followed by the direct view of the swallow in progress.