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Hoarse Voice

Causes of hoarseness

Vocal hoarseness can be caused by several factors, including: 

  • A cold or infection – A cold or upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or COVID-19, can make your voice hoarse, but the hoarseness should resolve on its own within about two weeks
  • Bronchitis or laryngitis – Bronchitis and laryngitis are both forms of inflammation that can cause your voice to become hoarse or raspy
  • Cancer – A hoarse voice that lasts more than three weeks can be a sign of a more serious issue like laryngeal cancer or esophageal cancer
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux – Often confused with GERD, laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs when stomach acid travels up the esophagus, irritating the larynx or voice box
  • Muscle tension dysphonia – This clinical term for voice disorder occurs from increased activation of the throat muscles, often due to speaking or singing, and can lead to pain, vocal fatigue or changes in voice
  • Neurological diseases and disorders – Certain conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or a stroke, can affect the part of the brain that controls throat muscles
  • Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis – Also known as laryngeal papillomatosis, RRP, causes noncancerous tumours on the airway that can affect vocals
  • Strained voice box – If you talk or sing too much, cheer too loudly, or speak in a pitch that's higher or lower than usual, you may experience hoarseness due to a strained voice box
  • Vocal fold haemorrhage – Physical trauma from coughing or extensive screaming can strain the tiny blood vessels of the vocal cords, filling the vocal fold and potentially forming a small ball or vocal fold polyp
  • Vocal fold paralysis – This occurs when one or both of your vocal folds doesn't open or close properly, typically due to an injury, lung or thyroid cancer, an infection, or a disease

When to see a healthcare provider

If your voice is raspy for a duration of three or more weeks, it’s advisable to consult a medical professional, particularly if you haven’t experienced a cold, a sinus infection, or the flu.

You should also see a health care provider if you:

  • Cough up blood
  • Develop difficulty breathing
  • Experience pain when speaking or swallowing
  • Feel a lump in your neck
  • Have difficulty swallowing
  • Lose your voice entirely for more than a few days

If you’re experiencing certain symptoms, your doctor might suggest you see a laryngologist, also referred to as an ear, nose, and throat specialist or ENT. The ENT will pay attention to your voice and inspect your head and neck, in addition to looking for any abnormalities in your neck. Should there be cause for worry, the ENT might recommend a video examination of your throat, known as a laryngoscopy, along with a tissue sample test, a CT scan, or an MRI.

THROAT CONDITIONS

Treatment options for hoarseness

Treatment options for hoarseness include:

  • Behavioural changes
  • Medication
  • ENT surgery
  • Multidisciplinary treatment with experts like laryngologists, speech-language pathologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, allergistsand physical therapists 

Preventing vocal hoarseness

There are several ways to prevent hoarseness, such as: 

  • Avoiding speaking or singing too much
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and other fluids that dehydrate your body
  • Using a humidifier, especially at night and during colder months
  • Quitting smoking and staying away from second-hand smoke
  • Steering clear of spicy foods
  • Using pectin-based throat lozenges to keep your voice well lubricated
  • Avoiding menthol-based products or anything that can dry out your voice 

THROAT CONDITIONS

Hoarseness is a condition marked by changes in the pitch or quality of the voice

your voice sounds hoarse

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