Hoarseness is a general term that describes abnormal voice changes. When you are hoarse, your voice may sound breathy, raspy, or strained, or there may be changes in volume (loudness) or pitch (how high or low the voice is).
1. Excessive talking or yelling can strain or injure the vocal cords.
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Other activities that can lead to vocal abuse (straining or injuring the vocal cords) include throat clearing, coughing, inhaling irritants, smoking, and screaming. Vocal misuse refers to improper voice usage, such as speaking too loudly or at an abnormally high or low pitch.
2. Lawyers and teachers are particularly susceptible to vocal abuse and misuse problems.
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Others at risk include clergy, cheerleaders, and professional voice
users such as singers and actors. Much of the chronic hoarseness experienced
by children is caused by vocal abuse or misuse.
3. Laryngitis is a common result of vocal abuse and misuse.
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Other disorders include vocal nodules, vocal polyps, and contact
ulcers. Health professionals who have training in voice and voice disorders
often refer to these conditions as hyperfunctional voice disorders.
4. Vocal nodules are also known as "singer's nodes."
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That's because they are a frequent problem for professional singers.
Vocal nodules are callous-like growths that usually form in pairs, one on
each vocal cord. They form at the area that receives the most pressure when
the cords come together to vibrate. The nodules develop from damage caused
by repeated pressure on the same area, much like a callous forms on areas of
a person's feet that are irritated by tight shoes.
5. The voice of someone with laryngitis will often sound raspy, breathy, and hoarse.
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Laryngitis is an inflammation or swelling of the vocal cords. It may
be caused by excessive use of the voice, by bacterial or viral infections,
or by irritants such as inhaled chemicals or the backup of stomach acid into
the throat (gastroesophageal reflux).
6. Vocal polyps have been linked to cigarette smoking.
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But a polyp may also be linked to hypothyroidism (decreased activity
of the thyroid gland, which is involved in the growth and development of
children and energy control in adults), gastroesophageal reflux, or chronic
vocal misuse. A vocal polyp, also called Reinke’s edema or polypoid degeneration, is a benign growth similar to a vocal nodule but
softer, more like a blister than a callous. It most often forms on only one
vocal cord.
7. If you have hoarseness or vocal change that continues for more than a month, you should be checked by a doctor.
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Your doctor should check out any hoarseness that continues for more
than two weeks. Although hoarseness is a common symptom of vocal abuse or
misuse, it is also one of the first signs of cancer of the larynx.
8. Most disorders of vocal abuse and misuse are reversible.
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The best treatment is to identify and eliminate the vocal behavior
that created the voice disorder. In many cases, a brief period of voice
therapy is helpful so that the individual can learn good vocal techniques
such as proper breath support for speech or eliminating forceful voicing.
