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Hoarseness
is a
general
term
that
describes
abnormal
voice
changes.
When
hoarse,
the
voice may
sound
breathy,
raspy,
strained,
or
there
may be
changes
in
volume
(loudness)
or
pitch
(how
high
or low
the
voice
is).
The
changes
in
sound
are
usually
due to
disorders
related
to the
vocal
cords
that
are
the
sound
producing
parts
of the
voice
box
(larynx).
While
breathing,
the
vocal
cords
remain
apart.
When
speaking
or
singing,
they
come
together,
and as
air
leaves
the
lungs,
they
vibrate,
producing
sound.
Swelling
or
lumps
on the
vocal
cords
prevent
them
from
coming
together
properly
and
changes
the
way
the
cords
vibrate,
which
makes
a
change
in the
voice,
altering
quality,
volume,
and
pitch.
What
Are
The
Causes
Of
Hoarseness?
Acute
Laryngitis:
There
are
many
causes
of
hoarseness.
Fortunately,
most
are
not
serious
and
tend
to go
away
in a
short
period
of
time.
The
most
common
cause
is
acute
laryngitis,
which
usually
occurs
due to
swelling
from a
common
cold,
upper
respiratory
tract
viral
infection,
or
irritation
caused
by
excessive
voice
use
such
as
screaming
at a
sporting
event
or
rock
concert.
Vocal
Nodules:
More
prolonged
hoarseness
is
usually
due to
using
your
voice
either
too
much,
too
loudly,
or
improperly
over
extended
periods
of
time.
These
habits
can
lead
to
vocal
nodules
(singers’
nodes),
which
are
callous-like
growths,
or may
lead
to
polyps
of the
vocal
cords
(more
extensive
swelling).
Both
of
these
conditions
are
benign.
Vocal
nodules
are
common
in
children
and
adults
who
raise
their
voice
in
work
or
play.
Gastroesophageal
Reflux:
A
common
cause
of
hoarseness
is
gastro-esophageal
reflux,
when
stomach
acid
comes
up the
swallowing
tube
(esophagus)
and
irritates
the
vocal
cords.
Many
patients
with
reflux-related
changes
of
voice
do not
have
symptoms
of
heartburn.
Usually,
the
voice
is
worse
in the
morning
and
improves
during
the
day.
These
people
may
have a
sensation
of a
lump
in
their
throat,
mucus
sticking
in
their
throat
or an
excessive
desire
to
clear
their
throat.
Smoking:
Smoking
is
another
cause
of
hoarseness.
Since
smoking
is the
major
cause
of
throat
cancer,
if
smokers
are
hoarse,
they
should
see an
otolaryngologist.
Other
Causes:
Many
unusual
causes
for
hoarseness
include
allergies,
thyroid
problems,
neurological
disorders,
trauma
to the
voice
box,
and
occasionally,
the
normal
menstrual
cycle.
Who
Can
Treat
My
Hoarseness?
Hoarseness
due to
a cold
or flu
may be
evaluated
by
family
physicians,
pediatricians,
and
internists
(who
have
learned
how to
examine
the
larynx).
When
hoarseness
lasts
longer
than
two
weeks
or has
no
obvious
cause
it
should
be
evaluated
by an
otolaryngologist--head
and
neck
surgeon
(ear,
nose
and
throat
doctor).
Problems
with
the
voice
are
best
managed
by a
team
of
professionals
who
know
and
understand
how
the
voice
functions.
These
professionals
are
otolaryngologist--head
and
neck
surgeons,
speech/language
pathologists,
and
teachers
of
singing,
acting,
or
public
speaking.
Voice
disorders
have
many
different
characteristics
that
may
give
professionals
a clue
to the
cause.
How Is
Hoarseness
Evaluated?
An
otolaryngologist
will
obtain
a
thorough
history
of the
hoarseness
and
your
general
health.
Your
doctor
will
usually
look
at the
vocal
cords
with
either
a
mirror
placed
in the
back
of
your
throat,
or a
very
small,
lighted
flexible
tube
(fiberoptic
scope)
may be
passed
through
your
nose
in
order
to
view
your
vocal
cords.
Videotaping
the
examination
or
using
stroboscopy
(slow
motion
assessment)
may
also
help
with
the
analysis.
These
procedures
are
not
uncomfortable
and
are
well
tolerated
by
most
patients.
In
some
cases,
special
tests
(known
as
acoustic
analysis)
designed
to
evaluate
the
voice,
may be
recommended.
These
measure
voice
irregularities,
how
the
voice
sounds,
airflow,
and
other
characteristics
that
are
helpful
in
establishing
a
diagnosis
and
guiding
treatment
When
should
I see
an
otolaryngologist
(ENT
doctor)?
| |
● |
Hoarseness
lasting
longer
than
two
weeks
especially
if
you
smoke |
|
| |
● |
Pain
not
from
a
cold
or
flu |
|
| |
● |
Coughing
up
blood |
|
| |
● |
Difficulty
swallowing |
|
| |
● |
Lump
in
the
neck |
|
| |
● |
Loss
or
severe
change
in
voice
lasting
longer
than
a
few
days |
|
How
Are
Vocal
Disorders
Treated?
The
treatment
of
hoarseness
depends
on the
cause.
Most
hoarseness
can be
treated
by
simply
resting
the
voice
or
modifying
how it
is
used.
The
otolaryngologist
may
make
some
recommendations
about
voice
use
behavior,
refer
the
patient
to
other
voice
team
members,
and in
some
instances
recommend
surgery
if a
lesion,
such
as a
polyp,
is
identified.
Avoidance
of
smoking
or
exposure
to
secondhand
smoke
(passive
smoking)
is
recommended
to all
patients.
Drinking
fluids
and
possibly
using
medications
to
thin
the
mucus
are
also
helpful.
Specialists
in
speech/language
pathology
(voice
therapists)
are
trained
to
assist
patients
in
behavior
modification
that
may
help
eliminate
some
voice
disorders.
Patients
who
have
developed
bad
habits,
such
as
smoking
or
overuse
of
their
voice
by
yelling
and
screaming,
benefit
most
from
this
conservative
approach.
The
speech/language
pathologist
may
teach
patients
to
alter
their
method
of
speech
production
to
improve
the
sound
of the
voice
and to
resolve
problems,
such
as
vocal
nodules.
When a
patients'
problem
is
specifically
related
to
singing,
a
singing
teacher
may
help
improve
the
patients'
singing
techniques.
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What Can I Do to Prevent and Treat Mild Hoarseness? |
- If you smoke, quit.
- Avoid agents that dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine.
- Avoid secondhand smoke.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Humidify your home.
- Watch your diet–avoid spicy foods.
- Try not to use your voice too long or too loudly.
- Use a microphone if possible in situations where you need to project your voice.
- Seek professional voice training.
- Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is injured or hoarse.
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Material provided courtesy of the
American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
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