Voice Disorders
Voice disorders affect the structure or movement of the vocal folds and most often present as hoarseness. Any change in the voice lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by an ENT specialist with direct visualisation of the vocal folds.
Common Voice Disorders
- Hoarseness (dysphonia): a rough, breathy, strained or weak voice
- Vocal fold nodules: callus-like thickenings in people who use their voice intensively
- Vocal fold polyps and cysts: benign lesions that often require microsurgery
- Reinke’s oedema: swelling of the vocal folds in smokers, with a deepened voice
- Vocal fold paralysis: breathy voice and swallowing problems due to nerve injury
- Laryngeal papilloma: HPV-related benign growths that tend to recur
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux and spasmodic dysphonia
Diagnosis
The vocal folds are examined with a thin endoscope. Videolaryngostroboscopy shows the vibration of the vocal folds in slow motion, revealing small lesions and closure problems. The examination is painless and takes only a few minutes.
Treatment
- Voice therapy for nodules and functional voice disorders
- Medical treatment for reflux and inflammation
- Phonomicrosurgery (microlaryngoscopy) for polyps, cysts and Reinke’s oedema, preserving the vibrating layer of the vocal fold
- Laser surgery for papilloma and early-stage tumours
- Injection laryngoplasty and thyroplasty for vocal fold paralysis
- Botulinum toxin for spasmodic dysphonia
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hoarseness go away on its own?
Hoarseness caused by a cold usually resolves within 1–2 weeks. Hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks must be evaluated with an examination of the vocal folds.
Book an appointment
Book an appointment to have your symptoms evaluated and to plan the treatment that suits you.
The information on this page is for general purposes only; diagnosis and treatment require a physician’s examination.