Voice Disorders

What is a voice disorder?

A voice disorder or dysphonia refers to changes in the quality of your voice. These changes can make your voice sound rough, hoarse, breathy, strained, and/or raspy. In some cases, the volume or pitch of your voice can change.

Common Symptoms:

You might experience:

• hoarseness or a raspy sound
• a voice that is weak, soft or shaky
• vocal fatigue - your voice tires easily or gets worse with use
• a sensation of strain or tightness in the throat
• frequent breaks in voice or changes in pitch

What Causes Voice Disorders:

• overuse or misuse of the voice
• inflammation from a cold (laryngitis), allergies or reflux
• vocal fold nodules, polyps or cysts
• age-related changes
• nerve problems affecting the vocal folds
• stress or muscle tension in the throat
• structural or neurologic conditions

How is a voice disorder treated?

Your provider may perform the following to evaluate your throat and voice:

• a detailed voice and medical history
• visual examination of the vocal folds using a small camera (laryngoscopy or videostroboscopy)
• detailed evaluation of the voice by the speech-language pathologist

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• voice therapy to improve vocal technique or reduce muscle tension/strain
• medications to improve inflammation or reflux
• lifestyle and vocal hygiene strategies
• procedures or surgery for specific vocal fold lesions
• Botox injections for certain neurologic voice disorders

When Should I Make an Appointment?

Many of our patients aren’t sure when they should seek the help of an ENT specialist for a voice disorder. You should see your doctor at West Shore ENT & Allergy when you have:

• Hoarseness lasting two weeks or longer
• Severe voice changes
• Hoarseness without a cold
• Pain when swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Lump in your neck

If you have questions about a change in your voice, call West Shore ENT & Allergy or schedule an appointment today.