Why do you lose your voice?

As someone who has lost their voice on numerous occasions, I can attest that it is not a pleasant experience. Suddenly becoming mute can throw off your day and make simple tasks, like ordering coffee or saying hello to a neighbor, seem impossible. But why does this happen? Here are some reasons why you might be losing your precious vocal cords.

Common Cold: The Silent Killer

Ah-choo! When we get sick with the common cold, our noses start running and our throats become sore. What people don’t realize is that during these times, we tend to strain our voices more than usual. This added stress on our larynx (the fancy word for voice box) can cause temporary hoarseness making us sound like Darth Vader’s long-lost cousin.

Shouting matches with Your Best Friend over Tacos Again?

You love tacos and so does your bestie but when it comes down to which taco truck to patronize tempers rise along with decibels from both sides of the argument.

The increased volume creates tension in your throat muscles causing fatigue leading; ultimately leads strained larynx resulting in loss of voicing power 1.

Maybe just agree to take turns deciding where you guys want eat next time…

Feeling Stressed? Let It Out!

Stress affects us all differently–some of us turn into Type-A robots while others chew on their hair like squirrels collecting nuts for winter. One thing many people have in common during stressful situations though is raising their voices without even realizing it.

  • Did someone steal from the office fridge again?? GRAHHH
  • That one driver who zoomed past you nearly hitting pedestrians!! WHAAATTTT

When we’re screaming into oblivion during a moment of duress ,our vocal folds bump against each other far louder than normal creating strain and a hoarse voice 2.

Throat Polyps: They’re Less Fun Than They Sound

Polyp sounds like the kind of word you don’t want to mention in polite company, but unfortunately it’s a real medical issue that can cause losing your speaking abilities. A polyp is basically an abnormal growth on the lining of your vocal folds caused by long-term misuse or abuse.

Some common symptoms of throat polyps include:

  • Hoarseness
  • Breathiness
  • Strained vocal quality

If you’re experiencing these symptoms for longer than two weeks, it’s important to visit an otolaryngologist (eenie-meenie-miny-moe try this pronunciation).

Acid Reflux: The Gift That Keeps On Giving.. .To Your Esophagus

Acid reflux is what happens when stomach acid splashes up into your esophagus (the tube connecting our mouth to our stomach). If we experience continuous reflux, the acid can damage cells in our throat leading way to tissue inflammation- perfect recipe for recurrent/occasional larynx injury 3. So if you miss pizza with pepperoni pizza topping ’cause it could give you heartburn reconsider singing Hallelujah too hard during karaoke night.

You might feel fine otherwise yet often find yourself clearing your throat as one symptom among others including:

  • Chest Pain
  • Persistent coughing
  • Sour taste in mouth

## Trauma! Trauma Everywhere!
We hate “parent thing” once said “are not careful. Moment will come.” And referring that all there are moments though unpleasant some downright terrifying where trauma occurs which can lead loss Voicing power

Some examples of traumas after recovering from physical injuries could affect our voice range, resulting prior condition at times even worse. Examples consist off:

  • Neck Injuries.
  • Whiplash Injuries- common in car accidents.
  • Injuries to thier vocal cord nerve[s].

In cases of injury, it’s wise to schedule an appointment with the doctor immediately.

Cancer: A Not-so-Funny Joke

Cancer is never a laughing matter though sometimes laughing could be beneficial. Unfortunately, like any other part of our body, some people also develop cancer on or near their vocal folds. Smoke and excessive alcohol consumption are among risk factors for laryngeal/subtle cell carcinoma 4.

Some symptoms that something bigger might be going include:

  • Lump felt in Neck
  • Hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks
  • Difficulty swallowing

If you think there might possibility be a concern, talk ‘doctor doctor’ sooner rather than later would be prudent

Remember voice problems can occur suddenly and even last up a few days however recurring hoarseness sometime ‘ more happens over several week.’ Seek expert opinion if you’re just not feeling like yourself soundwise (5, p7). And until then keep your singing skills sharp because nothing makes regaining your voice feel better than belting out “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the top of your lungs! (Even if it ends up sounding like screeching cats)

References:


  1. Arda HN et al., The effect of shouting on VHI scores and acoustic parameters.. Laryngoscope.2013;123(9):2200-3. 

  2. Induction of Psychological Stress by Scream Inhalation – Suzuki Ai , Tatsuya Sakurai,Takashi Hirose,Kenjiro Muramatsu,Yasushi Kodama,Hideo Matsuki,Satoru Shigeoka,and Masae Okura Acta med Okayama vol66,no.6 (2012)pp515-523. 

  3. Koufman J.,Amin M,Gibsons C., Potential Benefits Concomitant Antireflux therapy with Phonosurgery Annals of Otology,Rynogology and Laryngology (2009)118: 724-731. 

  4. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Alcohol consumption and ethyl carbamate. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2010.(IARC Monographs, Volume96.) Available from:http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol96/index.php 

  5. Rubin J.S., Edermayer E.K., Hawkshaw M.I .Evaluation And Treatment Of Voice Disorders Clinical Translations: Journal Of Audiology & Otolaryngology. vol3(1):June-August issue Doi:10/24911//4508 

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