What Are Voice Disorders?
Your voice depends on the vocal cords in your larynx (voice box) coming together and vibrating as air passes through them. Irritation, swelling, growths, age-related changes, muscle or nerve problems, and other conditions can interfere with that process, causing your voice to sound hoarse, weak, raspy, or different from its normal pitch. Voice disorders can include laryngitis, vocal cord lesions, vocal cord weakness or paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, and changes related to vocal overuse or aging. Whatever the cause, a voice disorder can be extremely disruptive to your life, especially if you rely heavily on your voice at work. At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat, we provide specialized evaluation and treatment for voice disorders, offering both in-office procedures and laryngologic surgery at our practice locations in Neptune, Holmdel, and Manahawkin, NJ. We also proudly partner with speech pathologists throughout the Greater New Jersey Shore area to help address voice and speech disorders in patients of all ages. Take a step toward getting your voice back by scheduling a consultation with our experienced providers at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat today.
How Do You Treat Voice Disorders?
We'll begin your evaluation by learning more about how your voice has changed, how long you've been experiencing problems, and whether it's been accompanied by other symptoms (such as discomfort or weakness). If needed, we may get a closer look at the vocal cords using a thin, flexible camera (flexible laryngoscopy) or a specialized strobe camera (video stroboscopy). From there, we'll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help restore clearer, stronger speech.
Our in-office treatments for voice disorders at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat include BOTOX® and filler injections, which can help calm vocal cord spasms or provide support for weakened or paralyzed vocal cords. If our exams find any abnormal growths or tissues, we may instead take a biopsy of the area for further analysis. Depending on your needs, we may also connect you with a speech pathologist for you or your child to help work through vocal issues and speech difficulties.
What Are the Benefits of Treatment for Voice Disorders?
Your voice is something you rely on throughout the day, whether you use it for work or simply to have conversations with the people who matter most to you. By matching your treatment to the specific problem affecting your voice, our team at Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat can help make speaking feel more natural, reliable, and comfortable again, with benefits that include:
- Restoring a clearer, stronger speaking voice
- Reducing strain and effort during conversations
- Providing greater control over a shaky or unpredictable voice
- Increasing vocal strength and endurance throughout the day
- Allowing you to speak at a comfortable volume without pushing your voice
- Making everyday communication feel easier and more natural
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Frequently Asked Questions about Voice Disorders
What are the most common causes of a voice disorder?
The biggest causes of a voice disorder are illness, heavy use, frequent yelling, or repeated strain. Conditions like acid reflux or growths around the vocal cords can also affect how your voice sounds. Other causes of voice changes include aging, vocal cord weakness, and other conditions that affect movement in the throat.
What are the signs of a voice disorder?
Hoarseness is the most common sign of a voice disorder, but it's not the only one. Your voice might sound weak, breathy, raspy, shaky, or strained. You may have trouble speaking loudly enough to be heard, notice changes in your usual pitch, or find that your voice fades or becomes tired after talking for a while.
When should I see a doctor about a voice disorder?
Consider having your voice checked if you experience a noticeable change that lasts for several weeks, keeps returning, or makes it difficult to communicate comfortably. You should also make an appointment if your voice changes without an obvious illness or reason.
How can I reduce my risk of developing a voice disorder?
If you work in a profession where your voice is important (such as singing or teaching), make sure to drink plenty of water and give your throat time to recover after periods of heavy use. Try not to regularly yell, strain, or push through significant hoarseness. Avoid smoking to help protect the tissues in your throat and voice box.
Can a voice disorder get worse if left untreated?
Continuing to push a voice that already feels strained may make recovery more difficult. If your voice is not returning to normal after illness or is becoming progressively harder to use, it is better to have it evaluated than to keep working around the problem.
Make Yourself Heard
Your voice carries you through conversations, relationships, work, and countless everyday moments. If it no longer sounds or feels like it used to, contact Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat to find out what can help you speak more comfortably. Visit our experienced otolaryngologists in Neptune, Holmdel, or Manahawkin, NJ and start expressing yourself more fully again.