Your voice is your primary communication tool and an integral part of your identity, so losing it to hoarseness or a voice disorder can be incredibly frustrating. The team at Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center manages the Lakeshore Professional Voice Center in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, led by laryngologist Adam D. Rubin, MD, a longtime professional actor and singer. Call today for a consultation with Dr. Rubin and his team, or book an appointment online today for expert voice treatment.
Several voice disorders and larynx conditions can cause hoarseness and loss of voice, including:
Nodules, cysts, and polyps impair the vibration and closure of your vocal fold and can be caused by a virus, vocal trauma, or misuse.
The skin just below the vocal fold is called Reinke’s space. It can fill with fluid following trauma or inflammation. The fluid can take a jelly-like consistency, causing the vocal folds to become more prominent and heavier, which lowers the pitch of your voice.
A sulcus is a shallow groove in the vocal cords that may not cause a voice disorder but can become deeper and cause other problems. Scar tissue on the vocal cords is typically the result of vocal trauma.
Your vocal cords may become paralyzed following surgery, lung cancer, or certain cardiovascular and neurological diseases. One or both of your vocal folds can be affected, and the loss of movement in your vocal folds leads to a breathy, quiet voice.
Presbyphonia and presbylaryngis, the medical terms for the thinning and weakening of your vocal cords that occurs as you age, cause your voice to become weaker and breathy.
The team of expert laryngologists at Lakeshore help professional actors and singers as well as everyday people who are losing their voices. Voice doctors at Lakeshore offer a wide range of treatments, including:
Your voice is a critical communication tool, and if you use your voice professionally as a singer, actor, pastor, or teacher, it’s also your livelihood. You can protect your voice by resting it and avoiding overuse or the extremes of your vocal range. You can also work with a voice or singing specialist to train and strengthen your voice.
For help with any vocal issues, call Lakeshore Ear, Nose & Throat Center or schedule a consultation online today.
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