Hoarseness

Most patients are familiar with the sound of a raspy, scratchy voice, but they may not realize the condition of hoarseness can actually be treated medically. Hoarseness, or dysphonia, is a condition in which the patient can temporarily lose their ability to speak or change their vocal pitch.

Find Your ENT Request Appointment

While occasional hoarseness happens to almost everyone, if the condition becomes chronic, it may be time to see an experienced ENT doctor. Our team of highly trained professionals at Florida ENT Associates can help diagnose the root causes of your dysphonia and find a solution that works.

Hoarseness Treatment Options

Hoarseness is typically due to having strained, injured, or sustained an infection in the vocal cords. Treatment options may include the following:

Vocal therapy

We can help you learn to protect your voice from harm through targeted exercises and sessions with a speech-language pathologist.

Allergy drops and shots

If your hoarseness is due to allergies, we can treat the voice through customized allergy drops and shots to help reduce symptoms. Over time, we can assist you in building up a resistance to the source of your allergies.

Antibiotics

If your hoarseness is due to an infection, we can prescribe antibiotics to help you heal and get back to normal.

Acid reflux medication

If acid reflux (stomach acid that rises to the throat) is causing your hoarseness, we can prescribe medications to get the problem in check as well as diet recommendations.

Surgery

If vocal tumors, nodules, or polyps on the vocal cords are causing hoarseness, we can perform surgery to remove them.

Why Does Hoarseness Occur?

Sound is initiated through vocal cord vibration. When the vocal cords sustain injury or damage, the voice may fail. Sometimes polyps or nodules are inhibiting the vocal cords from properly resonating. Allergies, inflammation, or infection can also lead to hoarseness. In addition, acid reflux can sometimes compromise the vocal cords. While hoarseness isn’t dangerous and typically goes away on its own, it’s a good idea to monitor your loss of vocal power to make sure it doesn’t become a chronic condition.

Symptoms of Hoarseness

A scratchy or raspy voice
Strained vocals
Difficulty making noise
Unable to change pitch

Who is Affected by Hoarseness?

Hoarseness can happen to almost anyone, regardless of age or gender. Singers and smokers are especially at risk for the condition.

About Florida ENT Associates

Florida ENT Associates provides top-tier, state-of-the-art ENT services to clients in and around Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Haines City, Sebring, and Clermont. Our practice is founded on the following principles:

Personalized Treatment

We focus on the individual, providing a personalized and detailed treatment plan that takes into account your anatomy, comfort levels, and unique wishes for improvement.

Top-rated Physician Network

Our ENT specialists have decades of expertise in diagnosing and treating your most common ailments. Through an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation, our patients experience exponential healing and extended longevity.

Continuity of Care

From the first moment you enter our clinics to the in-depth follow-up you receive after you’ve left, clients at Florida ENT Associates can expect continuous attention and guidance. Your treatment process is seamless, rewarding, and stress-free.

Community Investment

We are passionate about providing medical services, essential items, and valuable resources to those in need. We help arrange programs that support long-term autonomy and thriving.

Hoarseness FAQs

When should I see a doctor for hoarseness?

Patients who experience sudden hoarseness, hoarseness with pain, or hoarseness that doesn’t go away on its own should schedule an appointment to see one of our experienced ENT specialists.

Is hoarseness in children cause for alarm?

While hoarseness can occur frequently in children due to yelling and screaming, it’s important to note whether the condition resolves on its own or continues indefinitely. Chronic hoarseness should be evaluated by a medical professional.