What Could be Causing a Hoarse Voice?

What Causes A Hoarse Voice?

A hoarse voice can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose a hoarse voice, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "a hoarse voice" as a symptom. Here are seven possibilities:

Sarcoidosis
Laryngitis
Larynx Cancer
Vocal Cord Paresis
Vocal Cord Polyps
Heartburn
Contact Ulcers

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

frequent confusion/disorientation

being in late pregnancy

H2-blocker antacid use

meals worsen epigastric pain

chewing tobacco use

coffee consumption

bloodshot eyes

major joint pain/swelling/stiffness

swollen cervical nodes

history of heartburn

slight voice change

severe vision disturbances

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of a hoarse voice:

Cause	Probability	Status
Laryngitis	97%	Confirm
Heartburn	24%	Unlikely
Vocal Cord Paresis	24%	Unlikely
Sarcoidosis	4%	Ruled out
Larynx Cancer	4%	Ruled out
Contact Ulcers	0%	Ruled out
Vocal Cord Polyps	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Mouth/Oral Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about hoarseness of voice:

Has your voice become hoarse (rough or grating in sound)?

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Yes, for less than one week
→ Yes, for less than one month
→ Yes, for less than one year
→ Yes, for more than one year

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate recent onset hoarse voice, hoarse voice or long-term hoarse voice, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Contact Granulomas

Heartburn / GERD / Acid Reflux

Irritation caused by stomach acid refluxed into the throat can lead to hoarseness.

Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngitis

The most common cause of hoarseness is inflammation of the vocal cords caused by upper respiratory tract infection, or by speaking, yelling or singing too much or too loud.

Sarcoidosis

Vocal Cord Paresis / Paralysis

Vocal Cord Polyps / Nodules

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™