Vocal Cord Abuse
We use our voices dozens of times each day to communicate with those around us and express our unique thoughts, ideas, and needs. For most of us, we can use our voices as needed without risking damage or discomfort in our voice or vocal cords. Some individuals, however, have professions or hobbies that require extensive use of the voice, which can impact vocal health. People who use their voice for their profession often worry about the health of their voice and vocal cords as well as the future of their work. Vocal cord abuse and overuse can lead to significant damage and challenges with the voice.
Vocal cord abuse is a real condition that can lead to serious vocal disorders. In some cases, these conditions can be life-altering, especially when your job depends on your voice. It’s important to learn how to treat your voice well and prevent vocal cord abuse.
If you or a loved one is experiencing communication challenges due to vocal cord abuse, don’t hesitate to get the professional help you need. Click here to schedule a free introductory call with Great Speech. This way, you will know you are addressing your voice concerns safely and effectively.
What is Vocal Cord Abuse?
Vocal cord abuse refers to behaviors that strain or injure the vocal cords (also known as vocal folds). Some of the behaviors that are most likely to lead to vocal cord abuse are excessive talking or throat clearing, chronic coughing, inhaling irritants, smoking tobacco, screaming, or singing loudly.
Vocal misuse is improper voice usage, such as speaking too loudly or at an abnormally high or low pitch. Frequent vocal abuse and misuse can damage the vocal folds and cause temporary or permanent changes in vocal function, voice quality, and possible loss of voice.
What are the Symptoms of Vocal Cord Abuse?
The symptoms of vocal cord abuse can sometimes go unnoticed, as they can mimic the symptoms of a viral cough or cold. In some cases, the symptoms will come and go and fluctuate in severity, whereas in other situations, the symptoms are persistent. The most commonly identified symptoms of vocal cord abuse are:
- Pain in the Ears
- Vocal Fatigue
- Neck Pain
- Feeling a Lump in the Throat
- Difficulties with Pitch
- General Physical Fatigue
- Breathy Sounding Voice
- Loss of Vocal Function
- Hoarse Voice
- Feeling a Constant Need to Cough
- Development of Voice Disorders
If you notice any of the above symptoms and they resolve within a few days of vocal rest, you’ve likely misused your vocal cords. If the symptoms continue beyond a few days, however, it is important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Untreated vocal cord abuse can cause vocal disorder to develop, requiring more than a few days of rest to resolve.
What Disorders Are Connected with Vocal Abuse?
Some of the most commonly diagnosed disorders related to vocal cord abuse are known as hyper-functional voice disorders and include:
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation or swelling of the vocal folds. It may be caused by excessive use of the voice, by bacterial or viral infections, or by irritants such as inhaled chemicals or the backup of stomach acid into the throat (gastroesophageal reflux). The voice of someone with laryngitis will often sound raspy, breathy, and hoarse.
Vocal Nodules
Vocal nodules, which are small, benign (noncancerous) growths on the vocal cords, are among the most common voice disorders directly related to vocal abuse. This condition is often called "singer's nodes" because it is a frequent problem among professional singers. Vocal nodules are callous-like growths that usually form in pairs, one on each vocal fold. They form at the area that receives the most pressure when the folds come together to vibrate. The nodules develop from damage caused by repeated pressure on the same area much in the way a callous forms on areas of a person's feet that are irritated by tight shoes. The voice of a person who has vocal nodules usually sounds hoarse, low-pitched, and slightly breathy.
Vocal Polyp
A vocal polyp, also called Reinke's edema or polypoid degeneration, is a benign growth similar to a vocal nodule but is softer, more like a blister than a callous. It most often forms on only one vocal cord. A vocal polyp is often associated with long-term cigarette smoking but may also be linked to hypothyroidism (decreased activity of the thyroid gland, which is involved in the growth and development of children and energy control in adults), gastroesophageal reflux, or chronic vocal misuse. People who develop a vocal polyp usually have a low-pitched, hoarse, breathy voice, similar to the voices of people who have vocal nodules.
Contact Ulcers
Contact ulcers are a less common disorder of vocal abuse. They are experienced by people who use too much force when bringing the vocal folds together for speech. This excessive force causes ulcerated sores or the wearing away of tissue on or near the cartilages of the larynx that move to bring the vocal folds together. These ulcers are also found in people who have gastroesophageal reflux. People with this type of voice disorder often complain of their voice tiring easily and may feel pain in the throat, especially while talking.
How are Vocal Abuse Disorders Treated?
In most cases, disorders related to vocal abuse and their symptoms can be reversed. Early identification and diagnosis play a major role in the treatment of vocal disorders, as they can often go unnoticed or mistaken for another condition. Once the problem has been identified as relating to vocal abuse, it is important to then figure out what behaviors are contributing to the vocal issues.
Voice therapy with an experienced speech and language pathologist has been shown to be highly beneficial for individuals who are struggling with their vocal health. Speech therapy for vocal health will focus on developing supportive and restorative vocal techniques to reduce strain on the voice and enable the individual to continue using their voice without creating further damage.
If you think you might benefit from speech therapy for vocal health, expert care is available. Don’t wait to reach out, connect with us by scheduling your free introductory call today!
What Are Some Vocal Health Tips?
While voice therapy for vocal abuse offers expert support that is tailored to your specific needs, there are some simple practices you can adopt to help prevent vocal cord damage and ensure the health of your voice. Some of the best vocal health tips include:
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is one of the most important and beneficial habits for your vocal health, as well as your overall wellness. If you consume caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, it is important to increase your water consumption to offset the dehydrating effects.
Do Warm-Up Exercises: Vocal warm-up exercises can help prepare and protect the voice before a performance, presentation, or any situation where you have to sing or speak for a longer period of time. Simple exercises such as humming a familiar tune, “buzzing” your lips, singing a scale, or repeating tongue twisters are great examples. Think of these warm-ups in the same way that you would stretch or do some jumping jacks before beginning a difficult workout.
Rest Your Voice: Being intentional about resting your voice when you are able is an important practice. Many professional singers and actors will not speak for a day leading up to a big performance to ensure their voices are well-rested and prepared. Be mindful of resting your voice when you don’t have to use it, as this allows time to recover and be ready for the next performance or speech.
Consider a Humidifier: Increasing the humidity in your home, especially during the dryer and cooler months, can help protect the health of your voice. Experts recommend maintaining a humidity level of 30% or more for optimal benefits.
Remember, you only get one voice. Protect yours and book your free introductory call today! We’ll be sure to explain how our services work, determine if you are a good candidate for online speech therapy, and answer any questions you may have.