Hoarseness is a condition characterized by an unusual alteration in the sound of your voice, often accompanied by a dry or scratchy sensation in the throat. Hoarseness can lead to difficulty in producing clear vocal sounds, resulting in a raspy, weak, or breathy voice. The primary cause of hoarseness is typically linked to issues with the vocal cords, which may result in inflammation of the larynx or voice box, known as laryngitis. In such cases, the vocal cords are unable to vibrate correctly, causing the voice to become hoarse. If hoarseness persists for more than ten days, it is important to seek medical attention, as this could be an indication of a more severe underlying medical problem. It is generally wise to consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment to avoid any potential complications. The ENT Clinic in Singapore has friendly and experienced ENT specialists who can help diagnose your condition.
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How does the voicebox make sound?
Our voice’s sound originates from the vibration of two parallel muscles known as the vocal folds or cords, situated in the larynx, between the trachea and the tongue’s base. Normally, the vocal folds remain open while breathing, and they snap together while speaking. This action, paired with the passage of air from the lungs, produces vibrations that generate sound waves traveling through the throat, nose, and mouth, producing the quality of voice.
The distinctiveness of each person’s voice is attributed to their vocal folds’ size, shape, and the resonating cavities present in the mouth, nose, and throat. The pitch, volume, and tone of our voice are determined by the same factors.
The tension on our vocal cords is responsible for differences in voice pitch. For instance, loosening the vocal cords makes the voice deeper, while tightening them produces a higher voice. These individual variations in voice pitch and quality are influenced by various factors such as age, sex, and overall health. Thus, the unique sound of our voice is determined by the vibration of the vocal folds and the resonating cavities’ size and shape.
When to visit a doctor when the voice is hoarse?
If you have been experiencing hoarseness in your voice for over ten days without any symptoms of a cold or flu, it is important to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Additionally, if you are coughing up blood, or have trouble swallowing, or feeling a lump in the neck, finding it difficult to breathe, or lose your voice for more than a few days, it is prudent to seek medical attention.
What are the causes of hoarseness in your voice?
When you visit your ENT doctor with throat or voice problems, they will inquire about your medical history and the duration of your hoarseness. Depending on your overall health and symptoms, your doctor may typically use an endoscope to better view the vocal cords. He or she may recommend specific tests to assess voice abnormalities or vocal airflow.
Hoarseness can have a variety of underlying causes, and the treatments may differ accordingly. The following are some of the potential causes and treatments for hoarseness:
Laryngitis:
This frequent cause of hoarseness occurs when the vocal folds become swollen due to an upper respiratory infection, allergies, or a cold. Treatment for laryngitis depends on its cause and may include rest, fluids, and pain relievers.
Voice Strain:
Hoarseness can be caused by overusing or misusing the voice, such as speaking loudly in a noisy environment, singing loudly, or cheering at sports events. To temporarily relieve this type of hoarseness, resting the voice, reducing its use, and drinking lots of water can be helpful. However, people who use their voices for a living, like teachers, singers, or public speakers, may develop persistent hoarseness that requires medical attention. In such cases, a speech-language pathologist may be recommended for voice therapy.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD):
The medical condition known as heartburn can lead to hoarseness. This happens when stomach acid travels up the throat and irritates the tissues. Hoarseness caused by GERD tends to be more severe in the morning and improves later in the day. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a variation of GERD that causes hoarseness even if heartburn is not present, as stomach acid irritates the vocal folds and throat. Both GERD and LPR can be managed by making dietary adjustments and taking stomach acid-reducing medications.
Vocal nodules:
Benign growths like vocal nodules, polyps, and cysts can develop along or within the vocal folds. Vocal nodules are commonly seen among professional singers and are also referred to as “singer’s nodes”. Vocal polyps are found on one side of the vocal fold, while vocal cysts are a solid mass of tissue that are surrounded by membrane sac inside the vocal fold. Voice rest, voice therapy, and surgery to remove the tissue are some of the treatments available for these conditions.
Vocal fold hemorrhage:
This occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the vocal fold ruptures, causing the tissues to fill with blood. This can result in sudden loss of voice during strenuous vocal use, such as yelling. Treatment for vocal fold hemorrhage includes total voice rest and a visit to the doctor. Vocal fold paralysis is a condition that affects the voice when one or both of the vocal folds are unable to open or close correctly. This condition can be caused by various factors such as injury to the head, neck, or chest, certain types of cancer, infections, or neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. Treatment options for vocal fold paralysis include voice therapy and, depending on the severity, surgery.
Neurological Diseases:
In addition to other causes, hoarseness can be a result of neurological disorders and diseases which impact the regions of the brain which govern the muscles in the larynx or throat. Stroke or Parkinson’s disease, for instance, can cause hoarseness. Additionally, a rare neurological disorder known as spasmodic dysphonia can lead to hoarseness and affect breathing. The treatment for hoarseness stemming from neurological disorders is dependent upon the specific condition.
Diagnosis for Hoarseness in Voice?
To determine the underlying cause of your hoarseness, your ENT doctor will take a detailed medical history and ask about the frequency, duration, and severity of your symptoms. They may also inquire about the strength and quality of your voice and any factors that worsen your symptoms, such as smoking or speaking for extended periods. Additionally, your doctor may examine your throat with a light and tiny mirror to check for inflammation or abnormalities.
Depending on your symptoms, they may also take a throat culture, run a series of plain film X-rays of your throat, or recommend a CT scan. By conducting a thorough assessment, your doctor can determine the appropriate treatment for your breathing difficulty. The ENT Clinic conducts laryngeal videostoboscopy, which is a dynamic examination of the voicebox as it allows the ENT physician to identify conditions such as vocal cord cysts. Laryngeal videostroboscopy is only available in clinics with a special license and ENT Clinic is one of them.
