Voice disorders

Overview

People develop voice problems for many reasons. Doctors who specialize in ear, nose and throat disorders and speech pathology specialists are involved in diagnosing and treating voice disorders.

 

Treatment depends on what's causing your voice disorder, but may include voice therapy, medication, injections or surgery

Causes

Your voice box (larynx) is made of cartilage, muscle and mucous membranes located at the top of your windpipe (trachea) and the base of your tongue. Your vocal cords are two flexible bands of muscle tissue that sit at the entrance of the windpipe. Sound is created when your vocal cords vibrate.

 

This vibration comes from air moving through the larynx, bringing your vocal cords closer together. Your vocal cords also help close your voice box when you swallow, preventing you from inhaling food or liquid.

 

If your vocal cords become inflamed, develop growths or become paralyzed, they can't work properly, and you may develop a voice disorder.

 

Some common voice disorders include:

 

Laryngitis

Muscle tension dysphonia

Neurological voice disorders, such as spasmodic dysphonia

Polyps, nodules or cysts on the vocal cords (noncancerous lesions)

Precancerous and cancerous lesions

Vocal cord paralysis or weakness

White patches called leukoplakia

 

Risk factors

Many risk factors can contribute to a voice disorder, including:

 

Aging

Alcohol use

Allergies

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Illnesses, such as colds or upper respiratory infections

Improper throat clearing over a long time

Neurological disorders

Psychological stress

Scarring from neck surgery or from trauma to the front of the neck

Screaming

Smoking

Throat cancer

Throat dehydration

Thyroid problems

Voice misuse or overuse

 

 

Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE

Senior Consultant

Senior Management Services, LLC

 

Jan.Jennings@EagleTalons.net

JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com

 

724.733.0509 Office

412.913.0636 Cell

 

April 26, 2022