Why does someone lose their voice

It makes you wonder — what's actually going on when we lose our voice? Yiu says that hoarseness can also result from development of benign vocal cord lesions, such as cysts or polyps. In addition, hoarseness could be a symptom of vocal cord cancer or neurologic conditions like vocal cord paralysis or vocal tremor. Anyone can lose his or her voice, but some people are more prone to voice loss than others — particularly those who use their voice a lot.

Plus, vocal cord inflammation can be caused by more than just illness or excessive use. While less common, Dr. Yiu adds that you can also develop hoarseness due to:. This is usually brought on by a viral infection, causing the inflammation in the area of the vocal cords. Speaking may seem like a simple task, but along with breathing it incorporates the use of numerous muscles.

Just like muscle groups, the voice can be affected if not used properly. Overusing the voice might include speaking too loudly for a long period of time, talking for extended periods of time throughout the day, using a pitch that is too high or too low, or yelling excessively. This can often be a result of occupational voice use.

There can also be some very serious conditions associated with losing your voice. These might include:. In some cases, overuse or misuse of the voice can cause benign vocal cord lesions. These are like bumps that appear on the vocal cords due to trauma. Nodules, polyps or cysts are the most common types of lesions on the vocal cords. Microsurgery may be required to treat the lesions. Sometimes when a person is yelling or shouting they lose their voice suddenly. This can be the result of injuring the vocal cords and causing a hemorrhage.

If you lose your voice suddenly after doing something strenuous like screaming or yelling, it is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Types of Allergies. Hearing Instruments and Rehabilitation. Types of Hearing Loss. Decibels Chart. How Loud is Too Loud? Understanding Keloids.

Hoarseness is a symptom of acute laryngitis.