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.
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:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Larynx Cancer | 98% | Confirm |
Sarcoidosis | 22% | Unlikely |
Laryngitis | 19% | Unlikely |
Vocal Cord Polyps | 4% | Ruled out |
Contact Ulcers | 0% | Ruled out |
Vocal Cord Paresis | 0% | Ruled out |
Heartburn | 0% | Ruled out |
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 |
Irritation caused by stomach acid refluxed into the throat can lead to hoarseness.
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.