09-09, 14:30–15:00 (Europe/Istanbul), Hum+Trverse+Global 1 (ICC - B3 Floor - 3B/11)
Rationale and objectives: in recent years, the human voice has emerged as more than a medium of communication—it has become a powerful marker of physiological and psychological states. Advances in signal processing, artificial intelligence, and biomedical acoustics have attracted growing attention from diverse disciplines. In this panel, however, we will focus on the medical dimension—where clinicians and medical researchers analyze voice patterns as potential biomarkers reflecting health and disease, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, respiratory, and psychiatric conditions.
therefore, i propose that the scientific board of IFOS consider organizing a panel discussion that brings together international experts—physicians and technical specialists—who have practical experience in applying voice analysis to medical issues.
key themes:
voice as a biomarker: physiological and pathological correlates of vocal features essential for neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and otorhinolaryngological (particularly snoring & obstructive sleep apnea) diseases and pain management
AI and digital voice analysis: novel diagnostic and predictive tools in clinics and remote patient monitoring
educational perspectives: integrating voice-based analytics into medical training and patient monitoring
ethical and practical challenges: data privacy, standardization, and clinical validation
expected outcomes: the session will stimulate dialogue among clinicians, researchers, and innovators about integrating voice-based tools into everyday medical practice. By highlighting cross-disciplinary collaborations, it will encourage new research directions and educational frameworks that position the human voice as a central biomarker in 21st-century medicine.
suggested format: panel discussion with contributions from 3–4 experts, including both physicians and technical specialists, on the topics outlined above.
This panel aims to explore the concept of voice as a medical landmark, emphasizing its transformative role in early diagnosis, continuous monitoring, and holistic health assessment. We will bridge innovation, basic science, and education by showcasing how interdisciplinary research—combining otorhinolaryngology, neurology, data science, and behavioral medicine—reshapes our understanding of “health through sound.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlter Denizoglu, MD1, PhD2, MSc3
1Otorhinolaryngology, 2 Biophysics, 3 Audiology & Speech Pathology
Vocology Centre (Founder & Director)
University Lecturer of Clinical Vocology in Tinaztepe University Faculty of Health Sciences, Speech Language Therapy Division
University Lecturer of Pedagogical Vocology in Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory Vocal Arts Department, Main Art Division of Opera
After studying medicine at Ege University Faculty of Medicine and completing otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training at the Otolaryngology Department of Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Denizoglu decided to pursue a career in phoniatrics. His interest began with the fundamental physics of voice; he then studied vocal pedagogy at the conservatory of music. He completed a PhD in Biophysics and an MSc in Audiology & Speech Pathology. He has participated in several ongoing and published clinical studies and laboratory research. His passion for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the human voice across basic, clinical, and pedagogical vocology continues.
Dr. Denizoglu actively participates in several associations in the field of human voice, including the Union of European Phoniatricians (UEP), Collegium Medicorum Theatri (CoMeT), and the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP). In addition to his invited lectures worldwide, he conducts training workshops in various countries on voice therapy, singing voice therapy, and phonosurgery.
He is an amateur singer with an interest in vocal music from multiple perspectives, including singing pedagogy and musical acoustics. He has prepared the curriculum for Pedagogical Vocology lessons and has been delivering lectures at Dokuz Eylul University's Faculty of Stage Arts, Opera Division, since 2009. He has also developed the Clinical Vocology curriculum and teaches in the Speech-Language Therapy Division of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Tınaztepe University in Izmir, as well as in the Phoniatrics master's training program at Lokman Hekim University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara. He gives invited lectures at training programs and congresses worldwide. He has conducted his certifying training programs in pedagogical and clinical vocology (2-4 days) in more than 20 countries.
His medical practice focuses exclusively on phonosurgery, voice therapy, and singing voice therapy. He has developed new devices for voice therapy and vocal training. Based on Sihvo’s LaxVox Tube Exercise, he developed the DoctorVox Voice Therapy and Vocal Training Method (DVT) and holds patents for the tools used in DoctorVox therapy. He has also developed techniques such as mini-microsuture and posterior glottoplasty, as well as surgical instruments for phonosurgery. His book, 'Textbook of Clinical Vocology,' was published in 2020.
- Training And Certification In Subspecialties In Otorhinolaryngology
- Patent Processes In Medical Practice
- From Idea To Medical Device: How To Do It.
- Assessment, Office-Based And Endolaryngeal Approach For Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobilty
- Mobile Health (Mhealth) In Voice Acoustics
- IFOS 2026 – Start-Up Arena
- Voice Rehabilitation
- Management Of Challenging Cases In Laryngology
Education & Academic Background
Medical Degree: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (1987).
Residency: Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology (1993).
Research Fellowship: Niigata University, Japan (1991–1993). Conducted the research project “Relationship between craniofacial development and middle ear functions in cleft palate patients” under the MONBUSHO Scholarship.
ORL-postgraduate Thesis: “Investigation of the Craniofacial Skeleton in Cases of Adenoid Vegetation and Secretory Otitis Media” (Advisor: Prof. N. Akyıldız).
Academic Appointments
Professor: Gazi University (GU) Faculty of Medicine (2003–Present).
Associate Professor: GU Faculty of Medicine (1997–2003).
Head of the Division of Audiology: GU (2004–Present).
Chairman of the ORL-HNS Department: GU (2013–2021).
Institutional Leadership & Founded Programs
Dr. Kemaloğlu has been a pioneer in establishing audiological infrastructure in Turkey, having founded:
The Prof. Dr. N. Akyıldız Hearing, Speech, Voice, and Balance Disorders Diagnosis and Treatment Center (2002).
MSc Program in Audiology, Voice, and Speech Disorders (GU, 2002).
Division of Audiology at GU (2004).
Research & Projects
International Collaboration: Researcher for "Core B-Project 4" in the “Middle Ear Pressure Regulation in Health and Disease NIDCD P50” project at the University of Pittsburgh (2010–Present).
Sign Language & Education: Principal Investigator for two World Bank-funded projects regarding “Educational Problems of the Hearing Impaired and Turkish Sign Language (TID).”
Grant Projects: Led numerous scientific research projects supported by the EU, TUBITAK, and university funds.
Supervision: Mentored approximately 20 Master’s theses and ORL-HNS residency dissertations.
Advisory & Public Service
National Hearing Screening: Served on the founding scientific advisory team for the National Newborn Hearing Screening (NNHS) Pilot Project in Türkiye; currently serves as a consultant for the Ministry of Health’s NNHS program.
Governmental Commissions: Member of the Ministry of Health and Social Security Institution (SGK) commissions regarding hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Turkish Sign Language (TID):
Member of the TID Scientific Approval Board (Turkish Language Association, 2010–2013).
Chairman of the TID Dictionary Commission.
Member of the TID Interpreter Examination Commission.
Professional Societies & Congress Presidency
President: Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (2018–2021); Vice President (2016–2018).
Board Member: Society of Otology and Neurotology; Center for the Development of the Hearing Impaired; Association of Hearing and Speech Scientists.
Congress Leadership:
President of the 14th International Congress of ORL & Head and Neck Surgery (2021).
Co-organizer of SIGN5: 5th International Conference on Sign Languages and Deaf Studies with the University of Central Lancashire (2011).
Scientific Secretary for the 1st and 2nd Neuro-Otology Conferences (EAONO & GU).
Publications & Innovations
· Publications: Over 120 scientific articles (approx. 70 in international peer-reviewed journals) mainly focusing on otology, audiology, NHS, and voice.
Books: Co-author of the textbook “Otitis Media” (with Prof. Akyıldız).
Intellectual Property:
Patent: Holds a patent for a unique method of analyzing snoring sounds for the diagnosis and treatment of OSA.
Software: Developed trademarked voice analysis software (with Prof. Mengü).
· Reports: Authored the "E-İşit Project Report" regarding electronic materials for higher education for the hearing impaired.
Personal
Languages: English, Japanese (Limited).