What Are Some Causes of a Hoarse Voice:
There may be one or more causes for a hoarse voice. The origins can be structural, neurological, functional, or physiological in nature.
Some causes for a hoarse voice are:
- Laryngitis
- Misusing or overusing your voice
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Vocal nodules, polyps, and cysts
- Vocal fold hemorrhage
- Vocal fold paralysis
- Thyroid problems
- Injury to the larynx
- Neurological diseases and disorder
- Chronic stress disorders
- Anxiety/Depression
- May sometimes be a symptom of laryngeal cancer
What You Can Do To Treat Your Hoarse Voice:
There are several ways to help the voice recover in addition to seeking out professional help. A speech-language pathologist or voice therapist will provide evidence-based practices to treat and train the voice. Ways you can actively work towards a healthier voice are:
- Identifying behaviors and unhealthy vocal hygiene practices
- Shouting
- Talking loudly over noise
- Coughing/ throat clearing
- Poor hydration
- Implementing healthy vocal hygiene practices:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Diet modifications (e.g., reducing spicy foods and caffeine, eating a few hours before sleeping)
- Talking at a moderate volume
- Practices to reduce vocally traumatic behaviors (e.g., voice conservation)