There are many reasons that can lead to hoarse voice, such as vocal polyps, overuse of voice, inflammation, etc. If accompanied by pain, it is recommended to visit the otolaryngology department of the hospital for vocal cord examination to identify the cause, which is beneficial for subsequent treatment. Hoarse voice may indicate vocal cord damage. Some mild cases can recover through treatment, while severe cases may affect pronunciation for a long time.

1. Which department should I go to for vocal cord examination?

It is recommended to visit the otolaryngology department. Vocal cord damage is relatively common, and there are many reasons that can cause it. Some patients may have long-term overuse of voice, some may be caused by trauma to the throat, and some may be caused by vocal polyps, nodules, or improper diet. Therefore, after consultation, it is necessary to undergo laryngeal endoscopy and blood routine tests to determine the specific degree of vocal cord damage.

2. Causes of hoarse voice

1. Vocal polyps, nodules, and chronic laryngitis: Patients often have a history of excessive voice use, such as long-term speaking, shouting, or crying, or improper use of voice, which can lead to persistent hoarseness. Vocal polyps and nodules usually manifest as persistent hoarseness. [1]

2. Accompanied by throat pain, swallowing pain, and appearing after a cold or fever, it may be acute laryngitis. Severe throat pain that persists for a long time should also consider the possibility of laryngeal tuberculosis or malignant tumors.

3. Hoarse voice, even harsh, accompanied by a feeling of throat obstruction, cough, blood in the sputum, and neck masses. Elderly patients should be alert to the possibility of laryngeal cancer.

4. Foreign body sensation in the throat, accompanied by cough, easy fatigue of voice, or a preference for eating before bedtime, or frequent acid reflux and belching, may also indicate reflux laryngitis. However, some patients with reflux laryngitis may only have one of these symptoms.

5. Other causes of voice hoarseness include trauma, such as arytenoid dislocation and physical and chemical injuries to the throat.