Hoarseness
overview
Hoarseness is a very common complaint that affects nearly one-third of the population at some point in their life. Hoarseness is responsible for frequent healthcare visits and several billion dollars in lost productivity annually from work absenteeism.
Voice problems affect one in 13 adults annually; however, it can affect patients of all ages and sex. There is an increased prevalence in singers, teachers, call-center operators, older adults, and other persons with significant vocal demands.
Hoarseness
overview
Hoarseness is a very common complaint that affects nearly one-third of the population at some point in their life. Hoarseness is responsible for frequent healthcare visits and several billion dollars in lost productivity annually from work absenteeism.
Voice problems affect one in 13 adults annually; however, it can affect patients of all ages and sex. There is an increased prevalence in singers, teachers, call-center operators, older adults, and other persons with significant vocal demands.
Symptoms
Hoarseness, also known as dysphonia, is characterized by a change in voice quality, pitch (how high or low the voice is), volume (loudness), or vocal effort that makes it difficult to and may affect the quality of life.
The symptom of hoarseness is related to problems in the sound-producing parts (vocal cords or folds) of the voice box, or larynx. A voice may have a raspy, weak, or airy quality that makes it hard to make smooth vocal sounds.
Causes
Below are common causes of hoarseness:
- Common cold, upper respiratory tract infection
- Voice overuse (using the voice too much, too loudly, or for a long period of time)
- Acid reflux
- Allergic laryngitis, which is inflammation of the larynx due to allergies
- Smoking and secondhand smoke
- Head and neck cancer
- Medication side effects
- Age-related changes
- Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
- Intubation (process of inserting a tube through the mouth and into the airway) and postsurgical injury
Symptoms
Hoarseness, also known as dysphonia, is characterized by a change in voice quality, pitch (how high or low the voice is), volume (loudness), or vocal effort that makes it difficult to and may affect the quality of life.
The symptom of hoarseness is related to problems in the sound-producing parts (vocal cords or folds) of the voice box, or larynx. A voice may have a raspy, weak, or airy quality that makes it hard to make smooth vocal sounds.
Causes
Below are common causes of hoarseness:
- Common cold, upper respiratory tract infection
- Voice overuse (using the voice too much, too loudly, or for a long period of time)
- Acid reflux
- Allergic laryngitis, which is inflammation of the larynx due to allergies
- Smoking and secondhand smoke
- Head and neck cancer
- Medication side effects
- Age-related changes
- Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
- Intubation (process of inserting a tube through the mouth and into the airway) and postsurgical injury
Diagnosis
The following tests may be used to diagnose hoarseness:
History And Exam
Elements of a patient’s history is key to determining the underlying cause of hoarseness. How much water does a patient drink? How often do you use your voice? What is your profession? Do you have reflux? Do you smoke? All of these questions are important in understanding contributing factors to a hoarse voice.
pH Probe
Acid reflux is a common cause of hoarseness. Some patients may undergo a pH probe test which is performed by placing a probe through the nose to the back of the throat. The probe is kept in place for 24 hours and measures the acidity in the back of the throat.
Flexible Laryngoscopy
A small camera is placed through the nose to the back of the throat allowing visualization of the voice box. This allows for diagnosis of vocal fold masses, paralyzed vocal fold, infection of the throat, swelling of the voice box, and other visible abnormalities.
Stroboscopy
A special type of camera placed either through the nose (flexible) or through the mouth (rigid). A strobe light is used to visualize the voice box and “slow down” the vocal fold movement. This allows for the diagnosis of more subtle abnormalities that may not have been appreciated with flexible laryngoscopy.
Diagnosis
The following tests may be used to diagnose hoarseness:
History And Exam
Elements of a patient’s history is key to determining the underlying cause of hoarseness. How much water does a patient drink? How often do you use your voice? What is your profession? Do you have reflux? Do you smoke? All of these questions are important in understanding contributing factors to a hoarse voice.
pH Probe
Acid reflux is a common cause of hoarseness. Some patients may undergo a pH probe test which is performed by placing a probe through the nose to the back of the throat. The probe is kept in place for 24 hours and measures the acidity in the back of the throat.
Flexible Laryngoscopy
A small camera is placed through the nose to the back of the throat allowing visualization of the voice box. This allows for diagnosis of vocal fold masses, paralyzed vocal fold, infection of the throat, swelling of the voice box, and other visible abnormalities.
Stroboscopy
A special type of camera placed either through the nose (flexible) or through the mouth (rigid). A strobe light is used to visualize the voice box and “slow down” the vocal fold movement. This allows for the diagnosis of more subtle abnormalities that may not have been appreciated with flexible laryngoscopy.
Available Treatments
Treatment of hoarseness may involve any of the following:
Conservative Measures
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Avoid beverages that can dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine
- Drink plenty of water
- Use a humidifier
- Avoid spicy foods
- Avoid excessive throat clearing or coughing
- Try to limit voice usage, including volume
- Use a microphone when possible
- Avoid drying medications such as some antihistamines and diuretics
Medications
Depending on the underlying cause of hoarseness, certain medications may be prescribed. Examples include medications for acid reflux, allergies, or an antibiotic if an infection is present.
Speech Therapy
Evaluation and treatment are performed by a speech therapist. These sessions help to teach patients proper voice use, leading to better voice quality.
Surgery
Includes removal of a mass that may be contributing to a poor voice, or injecting material into the vocal cord to improve its function.
Treatment
The treatment for hearing loss, in part, is determined by the type of hearing loss one has. The following are treatment options for hearing loss.
Conservative Measures
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Avoid beverages that can dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine
- Drink plenty of water
- Use a humidifier
- Avoid spicy foods
- Avoid excessive throat clearing or coughing
- Try to limit voice usage, including volume
- Use a microphone when possible
- Avoid drying medications such as some antihistamines and diuretics
Medications
Depending on the underlying cause of hoarseness, certain medications may be prescribed. Examples include medications for acid reflux, allergies, or an antibiotic if an infection is present.
Speech Therapy
Evaluation and treatment are performed by a speech therapist. These sessions help to teach patients proper voice use, leading to better voice quality.
Surgery
Includes removal of a mass that may be contributing to a poor voice, or injecting material into the vocal cord to improve its function.
Services We Provide
- Medical management of hoarseness
- Flexible laryngoscopy
- pH probe testing
- Excision of vocal fold masses
- Vocal fold injections
Services We Provide
- Medical management of hoarseness
- Flexible laryngoscopy
- pH probe testing
- Excision of vocal fold masses
- Vocal fold injections