Voice Disorders

Losing your voice, developing hoarseness, or suddenly having the pitch or volume of your voice change can be incredibly upsetting. If the changes persist for a few weeks or you have pain, it’s important to have a full evaluation at Beach Cities ENTS in Torrance, California. The board-certified team has years of experience determining the cause of voice problems and developing customized treatments to restore your voice. To schedule an appointment, call the South Bay office or use the online booking feature today.

What causes a voice disorder?

When your voice changes in volume, pitch, or other qualities, you have a voice disorder. Some vocal problems are obvious, such as when you lose your voice, while other changes others may barely notice. 

When you’re concerned about your vocal quality, it’s a voice disorder, even if no one else perceives it as a problem.

Vocal disorders occur when the vocal cords don’t vibrate properly. Problems with your vocal cords can develop due to physical changes in the cords, dysfunctional nerves, or straining your voice.

The following are a few of the most common causes of voice disorders.

  • Laryngitis (inflamed voice box)

  • Vocal nodules

  • Vocal tremor

  • Vocal cord paralysis

  • Spasmodic dysphonia

  • Vocal fatigue

You can strain the vocal cords from too much talking or shouting. Smoking, frequent coughing, or clearing your voice also stresses the vocal cords. Any type of voice misuse can lead to calluses or blisters on the vocal cords, which in turn causes a voice disorder.

The exceptional team at Beach Cities ENTS specializes in treating elite singers, actors, and other vocal performers who develop a voice disorder. 

They use today’s most advanced technology, high-definition video stroboscopy to visualize your vocal cords with the detail needed to protect and retrain your voice.  

What symptoms develop due to a voice disorder?

Hoarseness is a generic term that describes the different changes of a voice disorder. You may notice that your voice sounds:

  • Strained

  • Weak

  • Breathy

  • Raspy

  • Shrill

  • Too high or low

  • Too loud or soft

  • Like it’s quivering

Some patients feel like they have a lump in their throat when they swallow or find that it’s painful when they talk.

How do ENT specialists treat voice disorders?

When you’re concerned about a voice disorder, your doctor at Beach Cities ENTS carefully assesses your voice and examines your throat using specialized tools to see your vocal cords. 

You may also need a sound analysis, which uses a computer to measure irregularities in the sounds produced by your vocal cords.

A variety of treatments are available, depending on the cause of your voice disorder. The following are only a few examples.

  • Rest

  • Voice therapy

  • Allergy treatments

  • Smoking cessation

  • Anti-inflammatory medications

  • GERD medication

  • Botox® injections

  • Collagen injections

If polyps, nodules, cysts, or cancerous or noncancerous lesions cause your voice problems, your doctor at Beach Cities ENTS surgically removes the growth. Another surgical procedure, thyroplasty, can change the position or length of the vocal cords.

To get expert help for a voice disorder, call Beach Cities ENTS or schedule an appointment online.