What is Hoarseness?

A green light laser is one type of procedure for treating voice disorders

Hoarseness is primarily a subjective term and usually refers to voice quality that seems abnormal or changed to the patient. Dysphonia is similar but may also mean difficulty making sounds and this term is more commonly used by doctors than patients. Some terms which may be used to describe a voice change are: breathy, harsh, shaky, weak, reduced to a whisper, or vocal fatigue (a voice that deteriorates with use during the day).

Any patient with unexplained hoarseness persisting >3-4 weeks should probably have either a fiberoptic laryngoscopy, or a videostrobscopy—a more sensitive examination of the vocal cords (folds).

It is important to understand that hoarseness is really more of a symptom than a diagnosis, but some of the common causes of hoarseness are acid reflux laryngitis, viral laryngitis and vocal nodules. Often hoarseness can be fixed without surgery, but a Laryngologist specializes in operating on the vocal folds and restoring a smooth, clear voice when possible.