What is a Hoarse Voice?
'Hoarse voice is a general term used for all kinds of voice abnormalities. The hoarse voice may sound like 'out of breath, raspy, strained', or it may also have 'high tone and volume'. Changes in the voice
mostly occur due to disorders in the part of the trachea called 'vocal cords'. These are two taut tissues that stand opposite each other and look like the letter 'V'. When breathing in and out, they are open. When speaking or singing, they come together and produce sound as air moves out of the lungs. The vocal cords vibrate at a rate of 150 to 250 beats per second. The tighter the vocal cords
and the shorter they are, the faster the vocal cords work. Faster vibration results in thinner sound
. Swelling in the vocal cords or the formation of a mass on them prevents them from coming together completely and closing, which causes a change in the voice.
What are the reasons?
There are many reasons for the voice to sound hoarse. Fortunately, most of them are not a big deal and disappear within a short time
. The most common cause is swelling of the vocal cords, which we encounter in colds, upper respiratory tract infections, or as a result of excessive use of the voice.
Longer-term hoarseness usually occurs when the voice is excessive, high-pitched, or inappropriate for a long time.
It is formed as a result of being used in some way. These bad habits cause the formation of hard masses, known as 'singer nodules', or softer masses, known as 'polyps', on the vocal cords.
Nodules on the vocal cords occur in children and adults who raise their voices while working or playing. It is common in adults. These
nodules and polyps can rarely turn into cancer.
One reason for the hoarseness encountered in older ages is that acidic stomach contents rise up the esophagus and irritate the vocal cords. Many people with this complaint do not experience burning in the esophagus.
The sound is usually worse in the morning and improves during the day. These people feel an obsession in their throat,
sticky mucus or the need to clear their throat frequently.
Smoking causes hoarseness. is another reason for failure. Since smoking is the most common cause of throat cancer, if hoarseness occurs in smokers, they should be examined by an ear, nose and throat physician.
Other rare causes of hoarseness: Allergy, thyroid problems, neurological problems, trauma to the vocal cord
area and sometimes menstrual period in women. Many people's voices change as they get older.
Who can treat my hoarseness? Hoarseness caused by cold or flu can be evaluated by a family doctor, pediatrician or internal medicine specialist who has learned to examine the vocal cords. If hoarseness persists for more than two weeks without a specific reason, it should be evaluated by an ear, nose, throat and head and neck specialist. Voice disorders can be handled by a team consisting of ear, nose and throat specialists, voice therapists and singing instructors. Voice disorders have many characteristics depending on their cause.
When Should I Be Examined by an Ear, Nose and Throat Physician?
- Hoarseness, two, three if it lasts longer than a week
- If the following symptoms are observed along with hoarseness:
pain not caused by cold or cold
Blood in saliva
Difficulty in swallowing
Neck swelling
- Complete distortion or absence of voice lasting several days
How is Hoarseness Evaluated?
The ear, nose and throat physician will listen to a complete history of your hoarseness and general health. .
He will look at your vocal cords with a mirror or an endoscope.
These procedures are easily tolerated by most patients. When necessary, acoustic examination of the voice
disorder can also be performed.
How Are Voice Disorders Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause. Most hoarseness is cured by voice rest and changing the use of the voice.
The physician can indicate how to use the voice, refer to special people dealing with voice therapy, or
perform surgery in the presence of obvious diseases such as 'nodules, polyps'. Smoking and You are advised to stay away from
smoke. Fluid intake is beneficial.
Sound therapist In the voice/language laboratory, they teach people with voice disorders how to use their voices. Sometimes people may acquire bad habits such as smoking, not using their voices appropriately, speaking loudly and shouting.
The voice therapist shows how these can be corrected and prevents them from recurring. If the person's problem is specifically
related to singing, singing teachers can help.
What Can I Do to Prevent and Treat My Mild Hoarseness?
- If you smoke, quit
- Avoid things that cause the body to remain dry, such as alcohol and caffeine
- Stay away from places where there are smokers
- Drink plenty of water
- Change the air in your home moisturize
- Pay attention to your diet, stay away from alcohol and spicy foods
- Do not use your voice too much or loudly
- Learn professional voice care
- Avoid talking and singing when your voice is hoarse (It's like walking with a bent ankle
)
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