Voice Change and Hoarseness
Voice is produced by the vocal cords, then shaped by the throat, mouth and tongue.
What to do when your voice changes
- If it has lasted only a day, rest your voice and drink water.
- If it doesn't improve in 1–2 days, see a doctor, preferably an ENT specialist.
- If it doesn't improve after a course of medicines, an ENT doctor should examine your vocal cords with an endoscope, through the mouth or through the nose.
See an ENT doctor without delay if hoarseness lasts more than 3 weeks, especially if you smoke, or if it comes with difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, coughing blood or a lump in the neck.
Over-the-counter medicines can do more harm
Cold medicines are often taken for voice change, but they can delay recovery. Steroids give quick relief but can damage the vocal cords if used without examination.
Is voice change linked to cancer?
Voice change that keeps getting worse can be a sign of throat cancer. Sudden hoarseness from vocal cord paralysis can be caused by disease of the thyroid, food pipe, lung or lymph nodes.
Common causes of long-standing voice change
- Vocal nodules ("singer's" or "teacher's" nodules) from voice overuse: treated with voice therapy
- Vocal cord polyp: non-cancerous, needs surgery
- Laryngeal papilloma: caused by a virus, needs removal
- Vocal cord cyst: can be removed
- Sulcus vocalis: can be improved with surgery
- Muscle tension dysphonia: treated with voice therapy
Book a consultation
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