Bhubaneswar: Phonocon 2025, the 20th National Phono Surgery Conference, was inaugurated at KIMS here on Friday.
Over 400 voice specialists, surgeons, speech therapists and students from across the country are taking part in the three-day conference being organised by the Association of Phono Surgeons of India (APSI).
This is the third time the conference is being hosted in Odisha.
The event will feature discussions, workshops and live surgeries for postgraduate students in the ENT department, focusing on voice disorders and their treatment.
Prof. Dr Kabikanta Samantaray, APSI president and HoD ENT department at KIMS, emphasised the impact of excessive talking on vocal health, which can lead to voice changes. Advising people to avoid unnecessary strain on their vocal cords and prioritise vocal hygiene, Dr Samantaray recommended brushing twice daily and gargling with warm water as a preventive measure.
Well-known phono surgeon and APSI founder president Dr V. Phanindra Kumar from Guntur described Odisha as the birthplace of phono surgery, as it was in Cuttack where it was first demonstrated.
Dr Khageswar Raut, organising secretary of the conference, highlighted the crucial role of voice in personal and professional communication. Dispelling the myth that voice is a natural gift, he stressed that surgical interventions can correct voice disorders.
Dr Raut warned against adverse effects of tobacco, gutkha, and smoking on vocal health, which can lead to voice deterioration and breathing difficulties.
