a muffled or raspy voice occurs due to what general problem course hero

by Prof. Lilliana Bode IV 9 min read

What can cause a raspy voice?

Hoarseness can have several possible causes and treatments, as described below:Laryngitis. ... Misusing or overusing your voice. ... Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). ... Vocal nodules, polyps, and cysts. ... Vocal fold hemorrhage. ... Vocal fold paralysis. ... Neurological diseases and disorders. ... Other causes.

What does a raspy voice mean?

A raspy voice may mean that the vocal cords are inflamed or swollen; indicating an infection or irritant is present. Additional tests may be necessary, depending on the cause of the hoarseness.

What is the most common reason for a voice problem?

The most common cause of vocal fold disorders is vocal abuse or misuse. The type of vocal cord disorder (see above) may have different causes. This includes excessive use of the voice when singing, talking, coughing or yelling. Smoking and inhaling irritants are also considered vocal abuse.

What causes raspy voice in child?

Having a cold or a sinus infection, yelling or talking too loudly, being exposed to smoke, or breathing dry air can cause a hoarse voice. Your child also can have voice problems from pollution and allergies. Sometimes acid from the stomach can back up into the throat—called acid reflux—and change your child's voice.

What is another word for raspy?

In this page you can discover 21 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for raspy, like: rough, scratchy, growly, breathy, rasping, grating, hoarse, gravelly, croaky, mellifluous and throaty.

How do you get a raspy voice fast?

Yelling or Singing High Notes Can Help Add Rasp You could also fake a cough or attend a concert where you can sing loud. However, when you sing with a higher pitch, your vocal cords vibrate rapidly, which will lead to vocal fold irritation, leaving your voice raspy.

What causes raspy voice in elderly?

In some people, changes from aging cause the vocal fold muscles to weaken or lose muscle mass (atrophy). This can keep the vocal folds from closing all the way, making it harder to speak. This increased effort to talk causes the voice to tire more quickly.

Why is my voice raspy but my throat doesn't hurt?

Why is my voice hoarse but my throat doesn't hurt? A hoarse voice without a sore throat can occur when a non-inflammatory condition has caused loss of vocal cord function. This can be caused by overuse like yelling or speaking in an abnormal tone for long periods of time.

Which of the following is an example of a voice disorder?

Some common voice disorders include: Laryngitis. Muscle tension dysphonia. Neurological voice disorders, such as spasmodic dysphonia.

Why does my voice sound raspy when I talk?

If you talk too long, cheer too loudly, sing too much or speak in a pitch that's higher or lower than usual, you may experience hoarseness. Also, your vocal cords naturally get thin and limp with age. It's perfectly common for your voice to get raspier as you get older. A cold or sinus infection.

What causes hoarseness and shortness of breath?

A hoarse voice along with shortness of breath can result from colds or bronchitis as well as other conditions that cause inflammation of the larynx. Seek immediate medical attention if you are having difficulty breathing, and talk to your doctor at any time you are concerned about these or other symptoms.

Is a raspy voice attractive?

It's official! A deep husky voice in men and a high-pitched breathy voice in women is perceived as most attractive, a new study has found. Researchers from University College London (UK) and colleagues found that listeners gauge the speaker's body size from the frequency of their voice.

Is a raspy voice attractive?

It's official! A deep husky voice in men and a high-pitched breathy voice in women is perceived as most attractive, a new study has found. Researchers from University College London (UK) and colleagues found that listeners gauge the speaker's body size from the frequency of their voice.

Why does my voice sound raspy when I talk?

Voice overuse, an upper respiratory infection, or severe irritation from smoke and other pollutants can cause acute laryngitis. Laryngitis can also become chronic and last a long time. Acid reflux, allergies, smoking, and some infections can all cause chronic laryngitis.

Why is my voice raspy but my throat doesn't hurt?

Why is my voice hoarse but my throat doesn't hurt? A hoarse voice without a sore throat can occur when a non-inflammatory condition has caused loss of vocal cord function. This can be caused by overuse like yelling or speaking in an abnormal tone for long periods of time.

Is a hoarse voice a symptom of Omicron?

The top symptoms of COVID-19 from the omicron variant, a sore throat and hoarse voice, differ from common symptoms from other variants, CBSNews reported July 19.

Why do we have variations in our voices?

Individual variations in our voices are the result of how much tension we put on our vocal folds. For example, relaxing the vocal folds makes a voice deeper; tensing them makes a voice higher.

Why do my vocal folds swell?

It can be due to temporary swelling of the vocal folds from a cold, an upper respiratory infection, or allergies. Your doctor will treat laryngitis according to its cause. If it's due to a cold or upper respiratory infection, your doctor might recommend rest, fluids, and nonprescription pain relievers.

What are some of the disorders that cause hoarseness and how are they treated?

Your doctor will ask you about your health history and how long you've been hoarse. Depending on your symptoms and general health, your doctor may send you to an otolaryngologist (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, and throat). An otolaryngologist will usually use an endoscope (a flexible, lighted tube designed for looking at the larynx) to get a better view of the vocal folds. In some cases, your doctor might recommend special tests to evaluate voice irregularities or vocal airflow.

What is hoarseness?

Your throat might feel scratchy. Hoarseness is often a symptom of problems in the vocal folds of the larynx.

What research is being done to better understand and treat hoarseness?

Researchers funded by the NIDCD are working with teachers to devise strategies to help them reduce the stress and strain on their voices. In one study, the teachers use a voice "dosimeter" that takes into account the frequency and loudness of their speech along with the duration of vibration in their vocal folds to determine their daily "dose" of vocal use. The researcher hopes to establish a safe level of voice use, as well as recommended recovery times from prolonged speaking.

What causes hoarseness in the throat?

Neurological diseases and disorders. Neurological conditions that affect areas of the brain that control muscles in the throat or larynx can also cause hoarseness. Hoarseness is sometimes a symptom of Parkinson's disease or a stroke. Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare neurological disease that causes hoarseness and can also affect breathing.

What is the best way to see the vocal folds?

An otolaryngologist will usually use an endoscope (a flexible, lighted tube designed for looking at the larynx) to get a better view of the vocal folds. In some cases, your doctor might recommend special tests to evaluate voice irregularities or vocal airflow.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from degree of laryngitis and age of the person (laryngitis in infants and children is more commonly caused by croup).

Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)

Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches.

Tension Headache

A tension headache s one of the most common types of headaches, and the exact cause is not known. Factors that may contribute to tension or stress headaches are lack of sleep, increased stress (referred to as a stress headache), skipping meals, dehydration, medical diseases or conditions, anxiety, or changes at home, work, or school.

Meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Treatment of meningitis depends upon the cause of the infection and may include antibiotics or antiviral medications.

Why is my voice raspy?

A hoarse voice is where the vocal cords become inflamed, causing a low, raspy voice. The inflammation can be due to several factors. Some causes are temporary, such as excessive shouting. This article discusses the possible reasons for a hoarse voice, whether it is a cause for concern, and some treatment options.

How does a hoarse voice sound?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NICDC) note that hoarseness refers to a voice that sounds raspy or strained with a lower pitch or softer volume. It can indicate an issue with the vocal cords or throat.

What is the cause of larynx irritation?

exposure to chemicals or dust that irritate the larynx

How do you know if you have a hoarse voice?

According to the Voice Foundation, other possible symptoms with a hoarse voice include: the sensation of a lump in the throat. a dry feeling throat. constantly needing to clear the throat. persistent cough.

What causes a person's voice to be hoarse?

The size and shape of the vocal folds determine how a voice sounds. Swelling or irritation of the vocal cords can limit the usual vibrational movement, leading to a person’s voice becoming hoarse.

How to help a larynx?

In some cases, resting the voice and drinking plenty of water will help the larynx recover. However, more persistent causes may require medical treatment. Health experts note that a person may benefit from a speech and language therapist.

What is the name of the area where the voice box sits?

Hoarseness may be a sign of inflammation in the larynx, known as laryngitis. The larynx, also called the voice box, sits at the top of the throat and contains the vocal cords.

Why is my voice so hoarse?

A hoarse voice can be caused by anything that interferes with the normal vibration of the vocal cords, such as swelling and inflammation, polyps that get in the way of the vocal cords closing properly, or conditions that result in one or both of the vocal cords becoming paralyzed. Some causes are primarily a nuisance, ...

What causes hoarseness in the voice box?

Spasmodic dysphonia : Spasmodic dysphonia is a local problem with the muscles of the larynx, resulting in hoarseness. Laryngeal nerve paralysis : The nerves leading to the voice box may be damaged by any surgery in the region where a nerve travels, such as thyroid surgery, heart surgery, or head and neck surgeries.

What causes vocal cords to be damaged?

Trauma : Blunt trauma to the throat region, for example during a motor vehicle accident may damage the vocal cords. A more common cause of trauma occurs when the vocal cords are damaged by a tube that is placed down the throat during surgery ( endotracheal tube) or during a bronchoscopy.

What are vocal cord nodules?

Vocal cord nodules : Vocal cord nodules are "lumps" on your vocal cords that interfere with their normal closing during speaking. They usually result from overuse of your voice, much like skin calluses develop. Singers, teachers, and other professionals who use their voices a lot can get polyps.

What does it mean when your voice is hoarse?

Hoarseness is an abnormal sound when you try to speak. This may be described as raspy, breathy, soft, tremulous, and/or as changes in the volume of your voice. The pitch of your voice may change as well, becoming either lower or higher.

Can hoarseness involve vocal folds?

Hoarseness can either involve both vocal folds or only one.

Is hoarseness a symptom of a cold?

Hoarseness is a common symptom that most people have experienced from time to time while fighting a cold or the flu. But it can also be a symptom of something more serious.