Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

About FEES

In this test, a small camera is inserted through your nose. The camera allows an SLP to see what happens in your throat when you swallow. FEES lets the SLP see:

• if food and drinks are getting into your airway instead of your stomach, which is called “aspiration”
• which parts of your mouth and throat may not work well
• what kinds of food and drinks are safe for you to swallow
• if you swallow better when using swallowing strategies (provided by your SLP) or if have trouble with specific things, such as drinking with a straw

What to Expect When Having a FEES

You may have questions about this test. Your SLP can provide information and answer your questions. Here is an overview of what to expect.

Who will perform the test?

Your SLP may do the test alone, with another SLP, or with a doctor. The doctor is often an otolaryngologist—also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT.

Where is the test performed?

The test can be done in a hospital room, an office, or a clinic.

What equipment is used?

The doctor or SLP uses a small tube (an endoscope) with a camera and light on the end. The endoscope is flexible and connects to a computer and video screen. Your swallowing test is often recorded so that your SLP can watch it again later.

What will happen during the test?

You will sit during this test. You may have medicine sprayed in your nose or throat to numb it and make the procedure more comfortable. The tube will be put into your nose and down your throat.

You will eat and drink different things during the test. The foods and liquids may have food coloring in them so that they are easier for the SLP or doctor to see on the computer screen.

Your SLP may also test how well you can feel inside your throat. In this test, the tube will blow puffs of air into your throat to see if you can feel them.

Children can also have FEES. You may need to hold your child in your lap during the test. If your child is breastfeeding, FEES may be a good alternative to other imaging such as a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). VFSS requires adding barium to what the child eats, which cannot be done to milk that comes directly from the breast. With FEES, the endoscope can be inserted into your child’s nose while they are feeding.

After FEES

Your SLP and doctor will talk about the test, and they may show you parts of the video to help them explain the results.

Your SLP will use the results to plan your care. You and your SLP will talk about what kinds of food and drink are the safest for you.

To find an SLP near you, visit ProFind.