This book describes Voice Disorders, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

“What is it about your voice that makes me want to hear you speak?”

— Ally Condie

The voice box (larynx) is made of cartilage, muscle and mucous membranes sited at the top of the windpipe (trachea) and the base of the tongue.

The vocal cords are 2 flexible bands of muscle tissue that sit at the entrance of the windpipe.

Sound is formed when the 2 vocal cords vibrate.

This vibration arises from air moving through the larynx, bringing the vocal cords closer together.

The vocal cords also assist in closing the voice box when the patient swallow, stopping the patient from inhaling food or liquid.

If the vocal cords become infected, inflamed, develop growths or become paralyzed, they can not function properly, and the patient may develop a voice disorder.

Some frequent voice disorders are:

Laryngitis

Muscle tension dysphonia

Neurological voice disorders, such as spasmodic dysphonia

Polyps, nodules or cysts on the vocal cords (non-cancerous lesions)

Precancerous and cancerous lesions

Vocal cord paralysis or weakness

White patches called leukoplakia

Risk factors

Many risk factors can add to a voice disorder, such as:

Aging

Alcohol use

Allergies

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Illnesses, such as colds or upper respiratory infections

Improper throat clearing over a long time

Neurological disorders

Psychological stress

Scarring from neck surgery or from trauma to the front of the neck

Screaming

Smoking

Throat cancer

Throat dehydration

Thyroid problems

Voice misuse or overuse

People can injure the vocal cords in many ways.

Talking too much, screaming, persistently clearing the throat, or smoking can make the patient’s voice hoarse.

They can also lead to disorders such as nodules, polyps, and sores on the vocal cords.

Other causes of voice disorders are infections, upward movement of stomach acids into the throat, nodules due to a virus, cancer, and diseases that paralyze the vocal cords.

Signs that the voice is not healthy are:

The voice has become hoarse or raspy

The person has lost the ability to hit some high notes when singing

The voice suddenly becomes deeper

The throat often feels raw, achy, or strained

It has become an effort to talk

The doctor will ask the patient detailed questions about the voice disorders and examine the patient completely.

A topical anesthetic may be used to numb the vocal cord tissues before the doctor examines them using one of these tools:

Mirror

The doctor inserts a long, rigid instrument with an angled mirror, like dental mirror, into the mouth.

Flexible laryngoscope

The doctor inserts a flexible tube containing a light and camera via the nose.

Rigid laryngoscope

The doctor inserts a rigid viewing tube via the mouth.

Videostroboscope

The doctor inserts a camera that is combined with a flashing light into the mouth to supply a slow-motion view of the vocal cords as they move.

Sound analysis

Using computer analysis, the doctor can measure abnormalities in the sound produced by the vocal cords.

Laryngeal electromyography

Small needles are positioned through the skin to measure the electric currents in the voice box muscles.

The treatment is dependent on what is causing the voice disorder, but may involve voice therapy, medicine, injections or surgery.

Most voice disorders can be treated when diagnosed early

TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction

Chapter 1 Voice Disorders

Chapter 2 Causes

Chapter 3 Symptoms

Chapter 4 Diagnosis

Chapter 5 Treatment

Chapter 6 Prognosis

Chapter 7 Laryngitis

Chapter 8 Laryngoesophageal Reflux

Epilogue