Why Does My Voice Sound Hoarse When I Speak?

The common causes of hoarseness include vocal nodules, vocal polyps, and recurrent laryngeal nerve disorders.

1. Vocal Nodules and Vocal Polyps: Prolonged loud speaking or singing can lead to excessive movement of the vocal cords, causing the edges to develop small calluses, known as vocal nodules. These are mostly benign lesions. Vocal polyps may form due to long-term overuse of the voice, resulting in edema at the edges of the vocal cords. These lesions can affect the normal closure of the vocal cords, causing hoarseness.

2. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Disorders: The recurrent laryngeal nerve controls the movement of the vocal cords. If it is compressed or damaged, such as by tumors in the lungs or mediastinum, the vocal cord muscles may not function properly, leading to hoarseness.

In treating hoarseness, measures should be taken according to the specific cause. For vocal nodules and polyps, surgical removal of the lesion may be required. For recurrent laryngeal nerve disorders, treatment of the underlying disease and relief of compression on the nerve are necessary. Meanwhile, patients should reduce speech during treatment to allow the vocal cords to rest sufficiently and follow medical advice for pharmacological treatment and voice training.

To prevent hoarseness, one should avoid prolonged loud speaking or singing, maintain a moist throat, consume less spicy and irritating food, and quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. For individuals who frequently use their voice, such as teachers and singers, more attention should be paid to the protection and training of the voice, with regular throat examinations to detect and address issues promptly.