Voice loss is the case where either all or some of your voice is lost. In such a case the patient has a voice that; is higher, lower, coarse, easily tiresome, constantly going, as a whisper, and even in some infectious case a full voice loss.
Voice loss may be caused by different reasons.
What are the causes of voice loss?
The main reasons for voice loss are as follows:
- Wrong or bad usage of the voice (talking or shouting too much, smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, exposure to pollution)
- Laryngitis (bacterial, viral or fungal)
- Throat reflux
- Thickening of the vocal strands
- Nodules or polyps on the vocal strands
- Neurologic deficiencies (for example; multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease)
- Wounded laryngeal nerve due to neck or chest surgery
- Certain psychological problems
- Vocal chords stroke
- Throat cancer
What the symptoms of voice loss?
If you have the following symptoms then the possibility that you may have voice loss is high:
- Inability to talk or ability to only talk in a whisper
- Tightening of the vocal chords
- Sore throat
- Difficulty in swallowing
If voice loss lasts longer than 1-2 weeks then it is important to consult a ear nose and throat specialist. If faced with bleeding in the mouth, swelling, difficulty in swallowing, breathing then a doctor must be consulted as soon as possible.