Condition · Throat, head and neck

Hoarseness and your voice.

Hoarseness is difficulty producing vocal sounds: the voice comes out scratchy, weak, or not in the pitch you intend. It usually traces to the vocal cords, can be acute or chronic, and left untreated can linger for months. Many types are successfully treated in the office.

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Overview

When your voice will not cooperate

Hoarseness is defined as difficulty producing vocal sounds. You may be able to produce noise, just not in the pitch or quality you desire. When you experience hoarseness, using your voice may be painful and it may come out as scratchy and weak. Hoarseness can be acute or chronic and likewise, minor or serious. Hoarseness hinders your ability to communicate, which can greatly interfere with your life satisfaction.

Causes

It usually starts at the vocal cords

Hoarseness usually results from a problem involving your vocal cords. Your vocal cords are bands of muscle tissue in your throat, which vibrate to produce sounds. One or both of your vocal cords may be involved in your hoarseness depending on your specific condition. Another common condition, laryngitis, is an irritation of your larynx, or your “voice box”.

It is not unlikely for your hoarseness to remain for many weeks, up to many months if left untreated. In many cases, whispering will actually strain your vocal cords more than talking, so it is important to have your doctor advise you on a proper treatment method. Many types of hoarseness can be successfully treated in our office.

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Common hoarseness questions

Asked in this office, answered in plain language.

What causes hoarseness?

It usually results from a problem involving the vocal cords, the bands of muscle in the throat that vibrate to produce sound; one or both cords may be involved. Laryngitis, an irritation of the larynx or voice box, is another common condition behind a hoarse voice.

Should I whisper to rest my voice?

Usually not. In many cases whispering actually strains the vocal cords more than talking does, which is why it is important to have a doctor advise you on a proper treatment method rather than guessing.

Will hoarseness go away on its own?

It may linger. Left untreated, hoarseness can remain for many weeks, up to many months. Many types of hoarseness can be successfully treated in the office.

Is hoarseness ever serious?

It can be. Hoarseness ranges from acute to chronic and from minor to serious, so a hoarse voice that persists deserves an evaluation rather than a wait.