Dr Jeeve Kanagalingam — Voice & Laryngology Specialist in Singapore

Dr Jeeve Kanagalingam is an ENT specialist whose main subspecialty interests are head and neck surgery and voice surgery (laryngology). He ran the Voice Clinic at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for several years and continues to support it as a visiting consultant, and received advanced laryngology training at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. He practises at Mount Elizabeth Novena and Gleneagles Hospitals and is an Assistant Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU.

Clinical focus

Laryngology / voice & head & neck cancer.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MA (Cambridge), BM BCh (Oxford), MRCS (England), DLO RCS, FRCS (ORL-HNS), FAMS (ORL).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Dr Jeeve ENT (The ENT Clinic) (see our clinic listing) — Novena
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena; Gleneagles Hospital; visiting consultant, Tan Tock Seng Hospital voice service

Getting to the clinic

Dr Jeeve Kanagalingam practises at Dr Jeeve ENT (The ENT Clinic), seeing patients at Mount Elizabeth Novena on Irrawaddy Road and at Gleneagles Hospital. For the Novena location, the nearest station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South line, a short walk from the medical cluster through largely sheltered links. For Gleneagles on Napier Road, the nearest station is Napier MRT (TE12) on the Thomson-East Coast line, or Orchard Boulevard; many patients find a taxi the easiest way to reach Gleneagles.

Buses serve Thomson Road near Novena and Napier Road near Gleneagles. Both hospitals have paid visitor carparks, with taxi and ride-hailing drop-off at the main entrances. As Dr Jeeve sees patients at more than one site, check your appointment confirmation for the correct hospital, suite and level, and allow time to park during busier clinic hours.

What laryngology covers

Laryngology is the branch of ENT focused on the voice box (larynx) and the voice, and Dr Jeeve’s stated focus also includes head and neck surgery. Voice conditions include hoarseness, vocal cord nodules and polyps, vocal cord paralysis, and the effects of acid reflux on the throat. The voice is essential for many occupations, so even modest changes can have a real impact, and laryngology aims both to diagnose the cause and to restore voice function.

Head and neck surgery addresses lumps and cancers of the throat, voice box, mouth, salivary glands and neck. Care can range from biopsy and staging to surgery, often working alongside other specialists for radiotherapy or other treatments. For the voice, treatment may involve voice therapy with a speech therapist, medication for reflux or inflammation, or procedures on the vocal cords, some of which can be performed in the clinic or in the operating theatre depending on the problem. Because the voice is central to many people’s work and social lives, treatment aims not only to resolve the underlying condition but also to restore reliable voice quality, often through a combination of medical treatment, surgery where needed, and voice therapy with a speech and language therapist.

What to expect at a consultation

A first visit usually starts with a history of your voice or throat symptoms, how your voice is used at work or socially, reflux symptoms, smoking and any neck lumps. The specialist will examine the throat and neck, often using a laryngoscope, a thin camera that gives a clear view of the vocal cords as they move.

Where the voice is affected, the specialist may assess the cords in detail, sometimes with specialised lighting that shows the vibration of the vocal cords. If a lump or cancer is suspected, investigations may include imaging and a biopsy. The specialist will explain the findings and discuss options, which may include voice therapy, medication, in-clinic procedures or surgery depending on the diagnosis.

Preparing for your appointment

• Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
• Previous ENT records, scan reports or biopsy results.
• A list of current medicines, including anything for reflux.
• Details of how you use your voice and how the problem affects work and daily life.
• A written note of symptoms such as hoarseness, throat discomfort, swallowing trouble or neck lumps, and how long they have lasted.
• Questions you would like to ask about treatment or voice therapy.

After your consultation and follow-up

You may leave with a plan that includes voice therapy, medication, further tests or a procedure, with a review to assess progress. Voice problems are often managed over several visits, particularly where therapy is involved, while head and neck conditions may need coordinated care with other specialists. If surgery or biopsy is recommended, the clinic will explain the procedure, recovery and follow-up.

Continuity matters where the voice is recovering or a neck lump is being monitored. You may seek a second opinion at any time. Seek prompt assessment for hoarseness lasting more than a few weeks, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood, or a persistent neck lump, as these can need timely evaluation.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private clinic, you can usually book without a referral, though a GP or polyclinic referral may help with subsidies if you are later seen at a public clinic. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible surgical procedures within set limits, while consultations and voice therapy are generally out of pocket. Costs vary with the tests and treatment needed, so confirm fees directly with the clinic.

Common questions

How long should hoarseness last before I see a specialist?

Hoarseness lasting more than two to three weeks, especially in smokers, should be assessed to rule out a serious cause.

What is a laryngoscopy?

It is an examination using a thin camera to view the voice box and vocal cords, often performed in the clinic.

Can voice problems be treated without surgery?

Many are, using voice therapy, treatment of reflux, or medication; surgery is reserved for specific conditions of the vocal cords.

What does head and neck surgery involve?

It covers the diagnosis and surgical treatment of lumps and cancers of the throat, voice box, mouth, salivary glands and neck, often with a team of specialists.

Related guides

• Hoarse voice & laryngitis
• Sore throat

See also: our editorial directory of ENT specialists in Singapore and our shortlist of ENT clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.