“Do I have dysphonia?”
I am unable to talk for too long before my throat becomes very dry and hoarse. Could it be dysphonia? I'm nervous as to why this is happening. My voice has been like this for as long as I can remember but I never really questioned it.
16 Answers
There could be a number of causes. Start with your primary care physician. You might get a referral to an ENT and/or a speech/language pathologist who treats voice issues. Are you having any trouble swallowing. You might need a swallow study to rule out other issues. But if it's just voice, start with primary care doctor, then possible ENT, then possibly a speech-language pathologist who specializes in voice evaluations and therapy. Call your medical insurance to see who is in network for you or you can pay privately and go out of network.
Kimberly Baradei
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hi!
Thanks for reaching out to me :) I would recommend reaching out to an ENT
to get a scope to view your vocal fold to see if there's any injury.
Other things to consider that may impact your vocal fold health would be,
reflux, smoke or pollution exposure.
Good luck!
Kim
Thanks for reaching out to me :) I would recommend reaching out to an ENT
to get a scope to view your vocal fold to see if there's any injury.
Other things to consider that may impact your vocal fold health would be,
reflux, smoke or pollution exposure.
Good luck!
Kim
Recommend seeking out a vocologist to address any voice concerns that you have.
The first stop should be ENT to rule out pathology. The provider should make an appropriate referral based upon the results of the visit which might include endoscopy as part of the evaluation. This is a tiny light/camera inserted nasally to get a visualization of the throat and vocal folds.
Your first step would be to see an ENT (Otolaryngologist/Ear, Nose, Throat) doctor. That would help us rule out any underlying cause. The ENT can refer you for voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist. You may look in your area for an SLP that works with adults or check out my page at www.teletn.com if you live in TN or AL.
Hello,
Thank you for your question. I do have a couple of questions for you that may help us identify what is going on with your voice:
-How much water do you drink a day?=
-Are you a coffee drinker?
-Do you smoke?
Thank you for your question. I do have a couple of questions for you that may help us identify what is going on with your voice:
-How much water do you drink a day?=
-Are you a coffee drinker?
-Do you smoke?
There is no reason that you have to live with this condition. First, you need to see an otolaryngologist (one who specializes in vocal disorders). If you live in New York City area or maybe in a large city I might be able to recommend someone. If not, we can find a top doctor in your area. Second , after the examination by the doctor, we can work therapeutically to improve your condition in practically all cases. I have had very good results in helping people with all kinds of vocal disorders. I also know how disabling this condition can be and also how frustrating it is. Best wishes, Darrell Lauer, m.s., CCC/SLP
Hello,
Contact your primary care physician, let him/her know your symptoms and concerns, and request a referral for an ENT. They will examine if it is structural or not and from there advise you of what will come next.
I hope this helps!
Contact your primary care physician, let him/her know your symptoms and concerns, and request a referral for an ENT. They will examine if it is structural or not and from there advise you of what will come next.
I hope this helps!
Hi there,
From what you are describing, it sounds like you have experienced some vocal abuse. Unfortunately, I am unable to determine if you have dysphonia at this time. That would require a comprehensive speech evaluation. What I can suggest is that you drink a lot of water to hydrate your vocal cords. Slow down your speech and drink water in between, avoid whispering and straining your voice. Examples include: avoid shouting and raising your voice over loud noises. Therapy could be beneficial to help learn about vocal hygiene and therapeutic exercises.
I hope this helps.
Best,
From what you are describing, it sounds like you have experienced some vocal abuse. Unfortunately, I am unable to determine if you have dysphonia at this time. That would require a comprehensive speech evaluation. What I can suggest is that you drink a lot of water to hydrate your vocal cords. Slow down your speech and drink water in between, avoid whispering and straining your voice. Examples include: avoid shouting and raising your voice over loud noises. Therapy could be beneficial to help learn about vocal hygiene and therapeutic exercises.
I hope this helps.
Best,
That is a possibility. I would make sure to stay adequately hydrated, but if it continues to be a problem, have an ENT consult to see if speech therapy is clinically indicated.
This could be due to multiple factors, It is recommended that you visit a Speech Pathologist who is specialized in voice disorders and/or get an appointment with an ENT. They will have to run some tests to look at your vocal cords etc.
It could be dysphonia, but to be sure it is best to schedule an appointment with an ENT doctor and complete a scope of the vocal folds along with a formal evaluation of your voice. Practicing good vocal hygiene helps keep vocal folds from becoming dry/hoarse, but if there are additional functional issues an ENT and voice therapist will help.
Terlenda Lassiter
Speech-Language Pathologist
You can write down your symptoms and see an ENT and then a speech language pathologist. Whenever my patients come to me with prolonged dysphonia or changes in their voice after talking, I have them see an ENT. Sometimes the ENT may refer them for a barium swallow if he or she suspects reflux. But I would say see an ENT and then a voice speech language pathologist in a voice center.
Cara M. Gelbart
Speech-Language Pathologist
I unfortunately would be unable to determine whether or not you have dysphonia through this forum. If it is something that affects you in your day-to-day life, you may want to seek out a consultation with an ENT or an SLP trained in stroboscopy to complete an examination of your vocal folds. They may also be able to provide you with literature about vocal hygiene, and how to care for your vocal folds to prevent injury, such as hydration, breath support, etc.
Tara Helwig
Speech-Language Pathologist
Spasmodic dysphonia causes voice breaks and can give the voice a tight, strained quality. People with spasmodic dysphonia may have occasional breaks in their voice that occur once every few sentences. Usually, however, the disorder is more severe and spasms may occur on every other word, making a person's speech very difficult for others to understand. At first, symptoms may be mild and occur only occasionally, but they may worsen and become more frequent over time. Spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic condition that continues throughout a person's life.
However, it is best to go to an ENT Doctor to check your vocal folds/cords and then go to a Speech-Language Pathologist for voice therapy.
However, it is best to go to an ENT Doctor to check your vocal folds/cords and then go to a Speech-Language Pathologist for voice therapy.
Syed S. Ahmed
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hi. I would suggest consulting an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) specialist. An examination of your larynx by ENT specialist can exclude some causes which lead to dry and hoarseness.
