Hoarseness is often used to describe a change to the voice. People suffering from hoarseness may experience a strained, raspy and/or breathy voice. People may also notice a difference in how loud they are able to speak and/or changes in how high or low their voice sounds (Pitch).
What causes Hoarseness?
There are several causes of hoarseness. Fortunately, most are not serious and may resolve after a short period of time. When we talk/sing , the vocal cords normally come together and vibrate against each other . There are several reasons why the vocal cords may not be working correctly. The most frequent are:
How is Hoarseness treated?
Mild hoarseness- In most cases hoarseness will clear up on by itself. To help relieve the symptoms it may help to:
Severe or Recurrent Hoarseness- People suffering from the following symptoms should seek medical advice from one of our physicians:
Medical examinations for hoarseness
Your ENT surgeon will examine the throat to identify the cause of the hoarseness. The exam is quick and is not painful, and it can be done in a regular office visit.
Treatments for hoarseness :
Depending on the clinical findings, there are a variety of treatments that may be recommended. These may include:
These various treatment plans will usually be discussed at your first office visit.