Imagine waking up one morning to find your voice sounds hoarse, strained or completely different from what you’re used to. You may have noticed these symptoms following a loud concert or a busy dinner out at Grassroots & Vine. Dysphonia, or voice hoarseness, is a common problem, affecting approximately one in three people at least once.
Dysphonia at large is a group of vocal disorders characterized by difficulty producing voice sounds. It can impact the voice’s pitch, volume, quality or resonance, leading to changes in speech clarity and vocal discomfort. Dysphonia can range from mild to severe and may be temporary or chronic, depending on its underlying causes.
Types of Dysphonia
Voice hoarseness may result from voice overuse, laryngitis, aging, chronic acid reflux, vocal cord hemorrhage, vocal cord nodules, cysts and polyps and more. Two common forms of dysphonia include:
- Spasmodic Dysphonia. Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological problem characterized by involuntary spasms or contractions of the vocal cords, resulting in sudden breaks in speech or speech that is difficult to understand.
- Muscle Tension Dysphonia. Often caused by vocal misuse or overuse, muscle tension dysphonia or functional dysphonia, involves excessive tension or tightness in the muscles surrounding the voice box (larynx), leading to voice difficulties.
Treatments for Dysphonia
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity and individual needs of your dysphonia. A few treatment options include:
- Voice Therapy. Working with a speech-language pathologist specializing in voice disorders can help improve vocal production and reduce strain through proper vocal techniques, breath support and relaxation exercises.
- Medication. Medications like corticosteroids or antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce swelling and alleviate symptoms in cases of inflammation or infection.
- Vocal Rest. Giving the voice adequate rest by avoiding excessive talking, yelling or singing can promote healing and prevent further strain.
- Surgery. Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove vocal cord nodules, polyps or other structural abnormalities.
Dysphonia can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting communication and emotional well-being. You can experience improved voice function and regain confidence with early recognition and intervention. If you are experiencing persistent voice changes, contact ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.