Voice Disorders
What are voice disorders?
You may have a voice disorder if you have a problem with pitch, volume, tone, and
other qualities of your voice. These problems occur when your vocal cords don't vibrate
normally.
Your voice is the sound that air makes when it is forced out of your lungs and passes
over your vocal cords. Vocal cords are the 2 folds of tissue inside your voice box
(larynx). The vibration of those cords is what makes speech.
Voice disorders include:
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Laryngitis. This is when your vocal cords swell. It makes the voice sound hoarse. Or you may
not be able to speak at all. Acute laryngitis happens suddenly. It is often caused
by a virus in the upper respiratory tract. It often lasts just a few weeks. Treatment
is to rest the voice and drink plenty of fluids. Chronic laryngitis is when the swelling
lasts for a long time. Common causes include a chronic cough, using inhalers for asthma,
and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Treatment of chronic laryngitis depends
on the cause.
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Vocal cord paresis or paralysis.The vocal cords can be paralyzed or partly paralyzed (paresis). This can be caused
by a viral infection that affects your vocal cord nerves, an injury to a nerve during
surgery, stroke, or cancer. If one or both of your vocal cords are paralyzed in a
nearly closed position, you may have noisy or difficult breathing. If they are paralyzed
in an open position, you may have a weak, breathy voice. Some people will get better
over time. In other cases, the paralysis is lifelong (permanent). Surgery and voice
therapy may help improve the voice.
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Spasmodic dysphonia. This is a nerve problem that causes the vocal cords to spasm. It can make the voice
sound tight, quivery, jerky, hoarse, or groaning. At times, the voice may sound normal.
Other times, the person may not be able to speak. Treatment may include speech therapy
and shots (injections) of botulinum toxin to the vocal cords.
What causes voice disorders?
For normal speech, your vocal cords need to touch together smoothly inside your larynx.
Anything that interferes with vocal cord movement or contact can cause a voice disorder.
Many voice disorders can be cured with treatment when diagnosed early.
Voice disorders can be caused by many factors. In some cases, the cause is not known.
Possible causes can include:
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Growths. In some cases, extra tissue may form on the vocal cords. This stops the cords from
working normally. The growths can include fluid-filled sacs called cysts, wart-like
lumps called papilloma, or callus-like bumps called nodules. There may be patches
of damaged tissue called lesions. Or areas of scar tissue. In some people, a band
of tissue called a web can grow between the vocal cords. Other growths include a small
area of chronic inflammation (granuloma) and small blisters called polyps. Growths
can have many causes. These include illness, injury, cancer, and vocal abuse.
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Inflammation and swelling. Many things can cause vocal cord inflammation and swelling. These include surgery,
respiratory illness or allergies, GERD, some medicines, exposure to certain chemicals,
smoking, alcohol abuse, and vocal abuse.
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Nerve problems. Certain health conditions can affect the nerves that control the vocal cords. These
can include multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson disease, Amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington disease. Surgery or laryngitis can also harm
nerves.
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Hormones. Disorders affecting thyroid hormone, female and male hormones, and growth hormones
can cause voice disorders.
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Vocal abuse. The vocal cords can be stressed by using too much tension when speaking. This can
cause problems in the throat muscles and affect the voice. Vocal abuse can also cause
a voice disorder. Vocal abuse is anything that strains or harms the vocal cords. Examples
include too much talking, shouting, or coughing. Smoking and constantly clearing the
throat is also vocal abuse. Vocal abuse can cause the vocal cords to get nodes and
polyps. These change how the voice sounds. In some cases, a vocal cord can break or
burst from vocal abuse. This causes the cord to bleed (hemorrhage). You can lose your
voice. Vocal cord bleeding must be treated right away.
What are the symptoms of a voice disorder?
If you have a voice disorder, your voice may:
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Have a quivering sound
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Sound rough or harsh (hoarseness)
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Sound strained or choppy
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Be weak, whispery, or breathy
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Be too high or low or change in pitch
You may have tension or pain in your throat while speaking, or feel like your voice
box is tired. You may feel a lump in your throat when swallowing. Or you may feel
pain when you touch the outside of your throat.
How are voice disorders diagnosed?
If you have a voice change that lasts for a few weeks, your healthcare provider may
send you to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT or otolaryngologist). This doctor
will ask you about your symptoms and how long you've had them. They may check your
vocal cords and your larynx using certain tests. These may include:
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Laryngoscopy. This lets the doctor view the throat. With indirect laryngoscopy, the healthcare provider
holds a small mirror at the back of the throat and shines a light on it. With fiber-optic
laryngoscopy, a thin, lighted scope (laryngoscope) is used. The scope is put through
your nose down into your throat. Or it is put directly down into your throat.
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Laryngeal EMG (electromyography). This test measures electrical activity in the throat muscles. A thin needle is put
into some of the neck muscles. At the same time, electrodes send signals from the
muscles to a computer. This can show nerve problems in the throat.
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Stroboscopy. This test uses a strobe light and a video camera to see how the vocal cords are vibrating
during speech.
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Imaging tests. X-rays and MRI can show growths or other tissue problems in the throat.
How are voice disorders treated?
Treatment for a voice disorder depends on what's causing it. Treatment may include:
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Lifestyle changes. Some of these changes may help reduce or stop symptoms. They can include not yelling
or speaking loudly. And resting your voice often if you speak or sing a lot. If you
smoke, quitting can also be helpful. Exercises to relax the vocal cords and muscles
around them can help in some cases. Warm up the vocal cords before long periods of
speaking. Drink fluids to stay hydrated.
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Speech therapy. Working with a speech-language pathologist can help with certain voice disorders.
Therapy may include exercises and changes in speaking behaviors. Some of these may
include timing deep breaths so that they power your speech with adequate breathing.
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Medicines. Some voice disorders are caused by a problem that can be treated with medicine. For
instance, antacid medicine may be used for GERD. Or hormone therapy may be used for
problems with the thyroid or female hormones.
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Injections. Your doctor can treat muscle spasms in the throat with a shot of botulinum toxin.
In some cases, your doctor can inject fat or other fillers into the vocal cords. This
can help them close better.
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Surgery. Your doctor can remove some tissue growths. If cancer causes the growths, you may
need other treatment. This may include radiation therapy.
Key points about voice disorders
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Voice disorders affect the ability to speak normally.
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These disorders can include laryngitis, paralyzed vocal cords, and a nerve problem
that causes the vocal cords to spasm.
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Your voice may quiver, be hoarse, or sound strained or choppy. You may have pain or
a lump in your throat when speaking.
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Your healthcare provider may send you to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT
or otolaryngologist). This doctor may do certain tests including imaging tests.
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Treatment for a voice disorder depends on what's causing it. Treatment may include
lifestyle changes, speech therapy, medicine, shots (injections), and surgery.
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
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Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
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Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
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Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells
you.
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At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
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Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also
know what the side effects are.
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Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
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Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
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Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
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If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
visit.
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Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.