Lowering of the voice - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

The lowering of the voice is a symptom characterized by the progressive or sudden damping of vocal sounds.

This alteration can occur in varying degrees, from hoarseness (difficulty producing serious sounds) to complete loss of the voice (aphonia).

The lowering of the voice can be favored by smoking, alcohol abuse, stressful situations, chronic cough, prolonged crying (in children), excessive use (talking loudly, screaming and singing), temperature changes and some medications.

If the disorder is associated with cough, fever and dyspnea, it could depend on inflammatory processes and upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds, flu, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. In some cases, the lowering of the voice constitutes a signal indicating the presence of nodules or polyps of the vocal cords.

More rarely, this manifestation depends on myasthenia gravis, thoracic aortic aneurysm, laryngeal carcinoma, bulky thyroid goiter and endocrine dysfunction. Neurological changes (Parkinson's disease) and various neoplastic processes may also contribute to the onset of the disorder.

Other conditions that can cause or contribute to alter the voice are: gastroesophageal reflux, tonsillitis, allergies, inhalation of toxic or irritating substances for the throat, and the presence of foreign bodies in the esophagus or trachea.

Less common causes of lowering of the voice include lesions or irritation in the throat caused by tracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, trauma or surgery.