What is Vocal Hoarseness: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Vocal Hoarseness: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

If you’ve ever noticed your voice sounding raspy, weak, or strained, you may be experiencing hoarseness. At SLT London, we help many clients who are concerned about changes in their voice. Understanding the causes of voice hoarseness, its symptoms, and available treatments can help you protect your vocal health and regain confidence in speaking.

What is Hoarseness?

Hoarseness refers to any abnormal change in the quality of your voice. When hoarse, your voice might sound breathy, rough, scratchy, or deeper than usual. Sometimes, you may even lose your voice completely for a short period. Hoarseness in voice is often a sign that your vocal cords are irritated or inflamed, affecting how they vibrate and produce sound.

Symptoms of Hoarse Voice

Recognising the symptoms of hoarse voice is the first step to addressing the problem. Common signs include:

• A raspy, rough, or weak voice
• Difficulty projecting your voice
• Voice that tires easily or cracks
• Changes in pitch or volume
• Feeling like there's a lump or constant tickle in your throat
• Cough and voice hoarseness happening together, often with a sore throat

If your voice remains hoarse for over two weeks — especially with pain, trouble swallowing, or blood in your cough — don’t delay. It’s time to consult a healthcare professional.

Causes of Hoarse Voice

There are many causes of hoarse voice, ranging from minor irritations to more serious health concerns. Here are the most common ones:

1. Overuse or Misuse of the Voice

Talking, shouting, or singing loudly for long periods can strain your vocal cords, leading to hoarseness. Professions like teaching, singing, or public speaking are particularly at risk.

2. Viral or Bacterial Infections

Colds, flu, and laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box) are frequent causes of voice hoarseness. These infections can make your vocal cords swollen and less flexible.

3. Allergies and Environmental Irritants

Exposure to smoke, dust, chemicals, or allergens can irritate the throat and vocal cords, causing hoarseness and sometimes a persistent cough.

4. Acid Reflux (GERD)

Stomach acid rising into the throat can inflame the vocal cords, resulting in hoarseness, frequent throat clearing, and a sour taste in the mouth.

5. Vocal Cord Growths

Non-cancerous growths like nodules, polyps, or cysts can develop on the vocal cords due to ongoing irritation or misuse, leading to persistent hoarseness.

6. Chronic Conditions

Long-term hoarseness can be caused by:

• Smoking or heavy alcohol use
• Chronic laryngitis
• Neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke)
• Vocal cord paralysis

7. Other Causes

• Thyroid problems
• Hormonal changes (such as during puberty)
• Injury or surgery affecting the voice box
• Rarely, throat or larynx cancer

Cough and Voice Hoarseness: What’s the Link?

A cough and voice hoarseness often occur together, especially with infections like laryngitis or when acid reflux irritates the throat. Persistent coughing can further strain the vocal cords, making hoarseness worse. Addressing the underlying cause of the cough is key to improving your voice.

When Should You Be Concerned?

In most situations, hoarseness is short-lived and improves with vocal rest and proper care — your voice just needs time to heal. Still, it's best to reach out to a speech therapist or medical expert if any of the following apply:

• Hoarseness lasts longer than two weeks
• You experience pain or difficulty swallowing
• There is blood in your saliva or phlegm
• you've been a long-term smoker or frequently consume alcohol in large amounts
• Your voice loss is sudden and severe

Persistent hoarseness may indicate an underlying condition, so it's important not to ignore these ongoing symptoms.

How SLT London Can Help: Assessment & Speech Therapy

At SLT London, our experienced speech and language therapists offer comprehensive assessment and tailored therapy for hoarse voice. Here’s how we support you:

1. Thorough Assessment

We begin with a detailed case history and voice evaluation. This includes:

• Understanding your vocal habits and daily voice use
• Identifying possible triggers or contributing factors
• Clinicians use the GRBAS scale — assessing grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain — to evaluate the nuances of your voice health.

2. Personalised Therapy Programmes

Our therapy plans are designed around your unique needs and goals. Treatment may include:

• Voice therapy exercises to improve vocal quality and stamina
• Learning vocal hygiene habits like staying hydrated, avoiding irritants, and using your voice correctly can make a big difference in vocal recovery and strength
• Strategies to reduce strain and prevent further damage
• Support for managing cough and voice hoarseness together

For certain conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, we offer specialised approaches like Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) to help increase vocal strength and clarity.

3. Ongoing Support

We provide regular reviews, progress tracking, and support groups where needed. Our aim is to help you regain confidence in your voice and communicate effectively in daily life.

Tips for Preventing and Managing Hoarseness

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Avoid shouting, whispering, or speaking loudly for long periods
• Rest your voice if you feel strain or discomfort
• Use a humidifier in dry environments
• Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
• Manage allergies and acid reflux with appropriate treatment
• Warm up your voice gently before heavy use

Benefits of Speech Therapy for Hoarse Voice

Speech therapy at SLT London can help you:

• Improve the clarity and quality of your voice
• Reduce frustration and vocal fatigue
• Build confidence in speaking situations
• Develop healthy vocal habits for long-term vocal health

Frequently Asked Questions on Voice Hoarseness

1. What is hoarseness?
Hoarseness is when your voice sounds rough, weak, or breathy—usually caused by inflammation or irritation of the vocal cords.

2. What are the common causes of voice hoarseness?
Hoarseness can result from overusing your voice, infections, allergies, acid reflux, smoking, or growths on the vocal cords.

3. Is hoarseness always a sign of something serious?
Most cases are temporary and resolve on their own, but persistent hoarseness should be checked by a professional.

4. How can I prevent hoarseness in my voice?
Practice good vocal hygiene: stay hydrated, avoid shouting, and rest your voice when needed.

5. How does speech therapy help with hoarse voice?
Speech therapy offers targeted exercises, expert guidance, and proven techniques to strengthen your voice and protect it from future issues.

6. Can a cough cause hoarseness?
Yes, frequent coughing can irritate the vocal cords and lead to hoarseness, especially if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.

7. When should I see a speech therapist for hoarseness?
If your hoarseness lasts more than two weeks or is affecting your daily life, contact SLT London for an assessment.

Conclusion

Hoarseness in voice is a common issue, but it shouldn’t be ignored if it persists. Understanding the causes of hoarse voice and seeking timely assessment can make a big difference. At SLT London, our expert speech therapists are here to help you restore your vocal health and communicate with confidence. If you’re experiencing ongoing hoarseness, get in touch with us today for professional support and personalised care.