Lost voice in an adult
Loss of voice is a rather serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention. Together with expert Elena Vorobey, we discussed how to treat and how to quickly restore the voice at home, and what to do so that it does not disappear again

Loss of voice or aphonia is not an independent disease, it is just a symptom that should not be ignored. Many organs participate in voice formation: lungs, bronchi, trachea, larynx, as well as the oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, nose, and even paranasal sinuses. The main role in this process is given to the vocal cords – it is thanks to them that sound is formed. When problems arise in the work of the ligaments, the voice becomes hoarse or disappears altogether.

Having determined the root cause of the loss of voice, the doctor will build a treatment plan and, if necessary, involve other specialists in this process.

Causes of loss of voice in adults

There are many reasons why a person may lose their voice. We list the most common of them:

  • viral and bacterial infections;
  • overvoltage of the vocal cords;
  • neoplasms in the larynx;
  • diseases of other organs: for example, diseases of the thyroid gland; laryngitis on the background of laryngopharyngeal reflux, etc.;
  • poisoning with chemicals;
  • allergic reactions;
  • stress.

The timbre of the voice can change under the influence of external factors – for example, dry air, or due to natural processes in the body: for example, with hormonal fluctuations in women during menstruation1.

Viral and bacterial infections

Respiratory diseases are the most common cause of voice loss or change.

Most often, voice loss occurs with laryngitis, which itself can be a symptom of measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever and other infectious diseases. 

A patient with laryngitis may feel normal, not suffer from fever, but at the same time feel dryness and sore throat. The voice with laryngitis often becomes hoarse. 

Thyroid disease

Hormonal imbalance can affect the vocal apparatus, which subsequently affects the voice. Patients with an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) often have a low, hoarse voice.

There is also paresis of the larynx, a complication that can occur after thyroid surgery.

In addition, aphonia can be a symptom of problems associated with disorders in the functioning of the adrenal glands and gonads.

laryngopharyngeal reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a fairly common cause of voice changes. The manifestations of this pathology include a sensation of a coma in the throat, perspiration, a change in voice and coughing. Such complaints, as a rule, appear with errors in the diet.

Neoplasms in the larynx

Both benign and malignant neoplasms make it difficult for the ligaments to close, making the voice hoarse. Other signs at the initial stage, as a rule, may not be3.

Allergic reactions

If the voice disappears due to an allergic reaction, this is a reason for urgent medical attention. There is a risk of developing Quincke’s edema, when increasing swelling in the larynx can lead to stenosis, in which air stops flowing into the airways.

Neuropsychiatric disorders

Here, a psychotherapist comes to the aid of an otorhinolaryngologist. It is difficult in such conditions to identify the true cause of a voice disorder, because few patients can admit that they are currently depressed or under severe stress.

How to treat and how to quickly restore your voice at home

Treatment and the speed of voice recovery will directly depend on the root cause that led to aphonia. Not every case of voice loss is harmless and can be treated at home.

If the voice has disappeared due to overexertion of the vocal cords, it is worth giving them time to recover. Excessive stress in the form of shouting, singing and long conversations should be avoided. It is also worth giving up spicy and hot foods, carbonated drinks, as they irritate the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

In any other case, an immediate consultation with a doctor is required and the cause of the loss of voice should be identified. Self-medication can only aggravate the current condition. The solution to the problem of voice loss can often be dealt with simultaneously by several specialists. First of all, it is worth contacting a therapist or an otolaryngologist for examination.

Medicines

In most cases, with laryngitis, topical preparations are sufficient to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation, and soften the cough. Depending on the cause and course of the disease, antibiotic therapy may be prescribed, but only a doctor should prescribe treatment.

Visit to the phoniatrist

If life or work circumstances require you to regularly load your ligaments (you speak and sing loudly for a long time), you need to contact a phoniatrist. The specialist will be able to choose an individual drug therapy and a set of exercises to strengthen and maintain the proper functioning of the ligaments.

Consultation of other specialists

Do not be surprised if an ENT doctor recommends that you seek advice from a gastroenterologist, neurologist, oncologist, endocrinologist, or psychotherapist. After all, voice disorders can be associated not only with acute pathology from the ENT organs, but also with problems of other systems. To prevent repeated cases of aphonia, it is better to immediately contact a specialist.

Refusal of alcohol and tobacco

While undergoing voice rehabilitation treatment, it is necessary to stop using alcohol and tobacco. In order to avoid relapse, it is better not to return to them even after recovery.

Humidity in the room

Maintain sufficient humidity levels in the room, as very dry air can cause voice loss.

Rest for ligaments

During long conversations or prolonged singing, pause so that the vocal cords can rest. This will reduce the chance of losing your voice from overexertion.

Popular questions and answers

Answered popular questions related to voice loss children’s ENT doctor Elena Vorobey.

Is it true that it is impossible to speak in a whisper with laryngitis?

— Yes, indeed. When talking in a whisper, the ligaments tighten even more. And sometimes patients are advised not to even read to themselves and think less during illness, because even during these processes, the vocal cords are included in the work!

Who is a phoniatrist?

A phoniatrist is an ENT doctor who specializes in problems related to the functioning of the vocal apparatus.

For people whose work is associated with long-term vocal loads, it is recommended to consult a phoniatrist for preventive purposes once every 6 months, as well as during illness. Also, an ENT doctor can refer patients with long-term voice disorders to a phoniatrist.

How often do people who smoke need to visit an ENT doctor?

— All smokers (cigarettes, vapes, hookahs, etc.) need to visit an ENT doctor once every 6 months or earlier according to complaints! Cancer of the larynx may not appear immediately and be asymptomatic.

It is also recommended to visit an ENT doctor every 6 months for people whose professions are associated with voice loads or work with chemicals.

Why does an ENT prescribe treatment for heartburn if there are no problems in the gastrointestinal tract?

– There is such a thing as laryngopharyngeal reflux, when gastric contents are thrown into the larynx. The doctor may suspect such a condition based on complaints and examination data. The main role in the treatment is played by diet and diet, a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes drug therapy is prescribed.

Can you lose your voice during the coronavirus?

— Yes, this is especially common during the course of a coronovirus infection caused by the Omicron strain.

How to prevent loss of voice during illness?

– During an illness, it is necessary to establish an optimal microclimate at home. Follow a diet and diet: do not get carried away with spicy and spicy dishes, and do not overeat. Avoid overheating and hypothermia. Reduce voice load. And most importantly, inform the doctor about changes in your condition in order to adjust the treatment in time.

When should you see a doctor if you lose your voice?

– It is advisable not to delay the trip to the doctor. If the voice disappeared against the background of SARS, and there are no problems with breathing, there is no shortness of breath, then you can observe the dynamics of voice recovery for a couple of days. If the voice disappeared completely, abruptly, the condition is accompanied by other symptoms or against the background of an allergic reaction, then you should consult a doctor immediately.

I also want to draw your attention to the fact that voice professionals (singers, teachers and other representatives of voice professions) should immediately consult a doctor when they complain of voice changes.

What can not be done if the voice is lost?

– The main thing is to observe voice peace: it is advisable not to speak at all, especially to shout. You also need to remember that when talking in a whisper, the vocal cords are even more loaded than during a normal conversation. It is necessary to establish a microclimate at home, follow a regimen and a sparing diet. To prescribe a specific treatment, you must consult a doctor for an examination.

Sources of:

  1. Clinical and acoustic characteristics of the voice in functional disorders in persons of the speech and singing profession with concomitant pathology of internal organs and systems. Anikeeva Z.I., Pleshkov I.V. Russian otorhinolaryngology, 2009. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kliniko-akusticheskie-harakteristiki-golosa-pri-funktsionalnyh-narusheniyah-u-lits-rechevoy-i-pevcheskoy-professii-s-sopryazhennoy/viewer
  2. Modern ideas about the problem of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Angotoeva I.B., Muldasheva A.A. Medical Council, Moscow, 2015. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovremennye-predstavleniya-o-probleme-laringofaringealnogo-reflyuksa
  3. Diseases of the larynx. Soldatsky Yu.L. Actual problems of treatment of diseases of ENT organs. Moscow, 2007. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/zabolevaniya-gortani-2/viewer

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