Voice Disorders & Hoarseness

Hoarseness or voice impairment, also commonly referred to as dysphonia is defined as a change in the quality of your voice. This condition affects both adult and pediatric patients. 
Hoarseness can be described based on the characteristics of the voice which include raspy, breathy, strained, or a combination of these characteristics.  Patients with voice impairment may experience

Vocal fatigue
Reduction in the volume of their voice
Reduced pitch range
Variability in the quality of their voice
Discomfort when using their voice
The need to strain when trying to use their voice

Hoarseness can occur suddenly. Or it can be a gradual change that progressively worsens with time. 

• Frequent throat clearing
• Feeling of a lump in the throat
• Cough
• Throat pain
• Difficulty swallowing 

• Acid reflux
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Neurologic conditions
• Prior trauma to the vocal cords; for example being intubated during previous surgery

Surgical operations for the thyroid, carotid artery, or heart can potentially injure the nerves which control movement of the vocal cords, resulting in voice impairment. Laryngitis - an infection of the vocal cords caused by virus, bacteria, or fungi -- can also contribute to voice changes.  

Certain social habits may also bring about changes in vocal quality including smoking, alcohol use, or prolonged exposure to chemicals and irritants like chemical gasses and or certain types of vape juice components such as . Certain medications such as oral steroids and steroid inhalers that are used to treat asthma may also be contribute to hoarseness.

• Vocal cord nodules which are small calluses on the vocal cords
• Cysts or polyps of the vocal cords
• Cancerous growths of the vocal cords

There may also be functional changes which affect how patients produce their voice. Functional changes refer to the amount of tension used when producing your voice. Many patients with hoarseness have what is referred to as muscle tension dysphonia, where there is too much tension or strain when using their voice. Often patients have a combination of structural and functional changes.

Any patient who develops a sudden change in their voice or hoarseness that persists for more than two weeks should consult an ear nose and throat specialist. The ENT doctor can determine the cause of their symptoms and recommend suitable treatment options. 

At Queen City Ear Nose and Throat we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your vocal cords using flexibility endoscopy and advanced videostroboscopy. With flexible endoscopy, a fiber optic camera is used to examine your vocal cords. Meanwhile, videostroboscopy is the only test that allows your doctor to assess the vibratory function of the vocal cords.

There are a variety of different treatment options for hoarseness or voice impairment. These may include medications and voice therapy -- a form of physical therapy to improve voice quality.
Depending on your condition, your doctor may suggest a minimally invasive microscopic vocal cord surgery to remove structural abnormalities. Your physician may also recommended biopsies to evaluate the vocal folds for precancerous or cancerous growths.

Consult With a Throat Expert
If you or a family member is experiencing hoarseness, contact us at Queen City Ear Nose and Throat, the local throat experts in Charlotte, NC. Call us at (704) 703-1080, or book an appointment online today.