A lost voice can lead to further vocal cord and throat damage if not treated. Learning why you’ve lost your voice may help you find treatment.
What Produces Your Voice?
Bands of muscle inside the throat, known as vocal folds, vibrate to produce the sound known as voice. When acute or drastic damage occurs to the vocal folds, it may result in hoarseness or a lost voice.
What Causes a Lost Voice?
Various factors can cause a lost voice, but the underlying cause is typically due to strain. Sound is produced by tension on the vocal cords, and when overused without adequate rest, it can result in damaging strain.
Though overuse is the typical cause of strain leading to a lost voice, it is not the only one. Sometimes illnesses, such as laryngitis, which can cause inflammation of the vocal cords, can also strain the vocal cords.
Heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, can damage the vocal cords by stomach acid. Typically, this form of vocal cord damage gradually improves throughout the day.
What To Do About a Lost Voice?
Usually, a lost voice can be treated with vocal rest. However, some cases of hoarseness, such as the ones related to illness or medical conditions, require medical attention.
If vocal rest doesn’t address your lost voice, and if the cause is unrelated to illness or medical condition and lasts three weeks or longer, seek medical attention.
Find Lost Voice Treatment at Daneshrad Clinic ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery
When rest isn’t enough to treat a lost voice, treatment with a board-certified otolaryngologist is highly recommended.
At Daneshrad Clinic ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery, board-certified otolaryngologist Dr. Payam Daneshrad is well-versed in throat matters. At his clinic, he can help diagnose the reason for your lost voice through a digital video stroboscopy, a diagnostic tool to help see your vocal box and cords. Dr. Daneshrad can help you find the necessary treatment, from medication to surgery.
Dr. Daneshrad is well-trusted and respected within the community. With locations in Torrance and Santa Monica, CA, his medical help is never too far.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call at 310-453-6500.