What are the causes of hoarseness? (1)

Acute Laryngitis: The most common cause is acute laryngitis—swelling of the vocal folds that occurs during a common cold, upper respiratory tract viral infection, or from voice strain. Serious injury to the vocal folds can result from strenuous voice use during an episode of acute laryngitis.

Voice Misuse:

l   Speaking in noisy situations

l   Excessive use

l   Telephone use with the handset cradled to the shoulder

l   Using inappropriate pitch (too high or too low) when speaking

l   Not using amplification when public speaking

Benign Vocal Cord Lesions: Prolonged hoarseness can occur when you use your voice too much, or too loudly for extended periods of time. These habits can lead to nodules, polyps, and cysts. Vocal nodules (singers’ nodes) are callus-like growths of the vocal folds. Vocal fold polyps and cysts also occur in those who misuse their voice, but can also occur in those who do not.

Vocal Hemorrhage: If you experience a sudden loss of voice following a yell or other strenuous vocal use, you may have developed a vocal fold hemorrhage. Vocal fold hemorrhage occurs when one of the blood vessels on the surface of the vocal folds ruptures and the soft tissues fill with blood. It is considered a vocal emergency and should be treated with absolute voice rest and examination by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD): A possible cause of hoarseness is gastro-esophageal reflux, when stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (esophagus) and irritates the vocal folds. Other typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation. Usually, the voice is worse in the morning and improves during the day. These people may have a sensation of a lump or mucus in their throat and have an excessive desire to clear it.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Hoarseness

Abnormal changes in the voice are called “hoarseness.” When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained, or show changes in volume or pitch (depending on how high or low the voice is). Voice changes are related to disorders in the sound-producing parts (vocal folds) of the voice box (larynx). While breathing, the vocal folds remain apart. When speaking or singing, they come together and, as air leaves the lungs, they vibrate, producing sound. Swelling or lumps on the vocal folds hinder vibration, altering voice quality, volume, and pitch.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Indicators for hearing loss (2)

Response to the environment

(speech and language development)
Newborn (Birth to 6 Months)
 •Does not startle, move, cry or react in any way to unexpected loud noises.
•Does not awaken to loud noises.
•Does not freely imitate sound.
•Cannot be soothed by voice alone.
•Does not turn his/her head in the direction of
 your voice.
•Does not point to familiar persons or objects
 when asked.
•Does not babble, or babbling has stopped.
•By 12 months does not understand simple phrases by listening alone, such as “wave bye-bye,” or “clap hands.”





Infant (3 months to 2 years)

 •Does not accurately turn in the direction of a soft voice on the first call.
•Is not alert to environmental sounds.
•Does not respond on first call.
•Does not respond to sounds or does not locate where sound is coming from.
•Does not begin to imitate and use simple words for familiar people and things around the home.
•Does not sound like or use speech like other
 children of similar age.
•Does not listen to TV at a normal volume.
•Does not show consistent growth in the understanding and the use of words.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Indicators for hearing loss(1)

During pregnancy
 •Mother had German measles, a viral infection or flu.
•Mother drank alcoholic beverages.



Newborn (birth to 28 days of age)
 •Weighed less than 3.5 pounds at birth.
•Has an unusual appearance of the face or ears.
•Was jaundiced (yellow skin) at birth and had an exchange blood transfusion.
•Was in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than five days.
•Received an antibiotic medication given through a needle in a vein.
•Had meningitis.
•Failed newborn hearing screening test.


Family
 •Has one or more individuals with permanent or progressive hearing loss that was present or developed early in life.



Infant (29 days to 2 years)
 •Received an antibiotic medication given through a needle in a vein.
•Had meningitis.
•Has a neurological disorder.
•Had a severe injury with a fracture of the skull with or without bleeding from the ear.
•Has recurring ear infections with fluid in ears for more than three months.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

 

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

How the Voice Works(2)

The Vibrator: The larynx (or voice box) sits on top of the windpipe. It contains two vocal folds (also known as vocal cords) that open during breathing and close during swallowing and voice production. When we produce voice, the airstream passes between the two vocal folds that have come together. These folds are soft and are set into vibration by the passing airstream. They vibrate very fast – from 100 to 1000 times per second, depending on the pitch of the sound we make. Pitch is determined by the length and tension of the vocal folds, which are controlled by muscles in the larynx.

The Resonator: By themselves, the vocal folds produce a noise that sounds like simple buzzing, much like the mouthpiece on a trumpet. All of the structure above the folds, including the throat, nose, and mouth, are part of the resonator system. We can compare these structures to those of a horn or trumpet. The buzzing sound created by vocal fold vibration is changed by the shape of the resonator tract to produce our unique human sound.

When our voices are healthy, the three main parts work in harmony to provide effortless voice during speech and singing.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

How the Voice Works(1)

We rely on our voices every day to interact with others, and a healthy voice is critical for clear communication. But just as we walk without thinking about it, we usually speak without thinking how our body makes it happen. However, knowing how we make sound is useful to maintaining the health and effectiveness of our voices. So this year on World Voice Day, April 16, take a minute to learn how your voice works. The following overview describes the body parts that work together to produce the sounds we make when we speak and sing.

The main parts of voice production:

• The Power Source: Your Lungs

• The Vibrator: Your Voice Box

• The Resonator: Your Throat, Nose, Mouth, and Sinuses

The Power Source: The power for your voice comes from air that you exhale. When we inhale, the diaphragm lowers and the rib cage expands, drawing air into the lungs. As we exhale, the process reverses and air exits the lungs, creating an airstream in the trachea. This airstream provides the energy for the vocal folds in the voice box to produce sound. The stronger the airstream, the stronger the voice. Give your voice good breath support to create a steady strong airstream that helps you make clear sounds.

Reference information: www.entnet.org/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.