Why have I had a hoarse voice for months?
Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) produces vocal symptoms without any physical damage. Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a change in the sound of your voice due to excessive muscle tension in and around the larynx (voice box). It is very common, particularly in professional voice users such as teachers or lawyers that use their voice throughout the day to communicate.
If you have had a hoarse voice that continues for that lasts more than 3 weeks, it is recommended that you discuss this with your GP. A hoarse Voice can be caused by laryngitis but it also can be a symptom of laryngeal cancer. Therefore, your GP may refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT) who will use a camera up your nose to look at your vocal folds. This is not a painful procedure.
Why do ENT say my vocal folds look normal but I still have hoarseness?
The good news is that ENT did not find any damage to your vocal cords. However, many people are left wondering why they have a hoarse voice. Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) produces vocal symptoms without any physical damage. Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a change in the sound of your voice due to excessive muscle tension in and around the larynx (voice box). It is very common, particularly in professional voice users such as teachers or lawyers that use their voice throughout the day to communicate.
What are the symptoms of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?
The most common symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia include:
Voice that sounds hoarse or strained
Voice becomes weaker and more effort the longer your voice is used.
Difficulty singing notes that used to be easy.
Pain or tension in your throat
Feeling like there is something in your throat that needs to be cleared.
Why do I have a hoarse voice and a feeling of a lump in my throat?
The tightness of the muscles in your throat due to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) causes people to feel that they have a lump in their throat, tightness or tension. The medical word for this feeling is ‘Globus’ and it is very common. It can be caused by main factors including anxiety, stress and reflux. It can be very effortful you to speak when they feel tension. Through Voice therapy we examine the factors that are causing you to have this sensation and aim to reduce the tension in this area.
Why do I have a hoarse voice, mucus in my throat and feel like I need to throat clear or cough?
As a result of tension people feel in their throat due to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) or Globus, people feel that they need to throat clear. Throat clearing often results in a habit of frequently throat clearing which produces more mucous. Throat Clearing is multi-factorial and we aim to reduce throat clearing through a thorough case history and voice therapy strategies.
Is a hoarse voice a symptom of anxiety or stress?
A hoarse voice as a result of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) may be linked with stress or anxiety. We all feel stress in different parts of our body and some people of vulnerable to holding tension within their laryngeal area. Our Voice Therapists have counselling skills that can support you to understand the emotional causes of your voice problem. If a voice problem is affecting your work, this can be an additional financial stress. Through voice therapy we can support you to improve your voice through vocal techniques to help you feel more relaxed.
How long does Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) last?
Muscle Tension Dysphonia if untreated can last for months or years for some people. This is because they may be in a high voice use occupation such as a teacher, manager or call center and continue to abuse their voices without treatment. The treatment for Muscle Tension Dysphonia is Voice therapy. Typically people require 6-8 sessions following an assessment.
Why do i have a hoarse voice at the end of the day?
You may be losing your voice towards the end of the day due to using your voice ineffectively throughout the day. Our voice therapists will analyse the ways in which you use your voice, change your vocal behaviours to reduce strain in the laryngeal area so that you will be able to sustain your voice throughout the day.
How do I have Muscle Tension Dysphonia treatment at home?
Online Voice Therapy is as effective as face to face. This means that you can have Muscle Tension Dysphonia treatment at home.
What does voice therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia involve?
Voice therapy involves
Bespoke voice exercises
Exercises to reduce laryngeal tension
Improving breath support for speech
Reducing harmful behaviours
Increase vocal stamina
Improving pitch and volume
Improving voice amplification
Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.
What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia?
In most cases, Muscle Tension Dysphonia produces vocal symptoms without any actual physical damage. However, if the voice continues to be used ineffectively, it can cause changes to the vocal folds. Voice Therapy is an effective treatment for Muscle Tension Dysphonia.
What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?
Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a change in the sound of your voice due to excessive muscle tension in and around the larynx (voice box). Muscle Tension Dysphonia produces vocal symptoms without any physical damage. Commonly, people will have had their Larynx examined by a Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist and have been told that there is no observable physical damage.
Muscle tension dysphonia may be caused by longterm ineffective voice use, voice overuse, irritants (such as Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) , infection or emotional stress. While the initial cause may go away, the voice changes remain because of the ineffective habitual voice use.
How can my job cause Muscle Tension Dysphonia?
Jobs that require lots of talking and projection may result in voice overuse and voice abuse. Professions such as teachers, actors and singers may lose their voices. This can have an impact financially and can feel stressful. Our UK Voice therapists will help you identify the causal factors and put together a bespoke plan to support you in improving your voice.
What are the symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia?
The most common symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia include:
Voice that sounds hoarse or strained
Voice becomes weaker and more effort the longer your voice is used.
Difficulty singing notes that used to be easy.
Pain or tension in your throat
Feeling like there is something in your throat that needs to be cleared.
How is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) diagnosed in the UK?
Typically, if you are experiencing voice difficulties, your GP will refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT) for an assessment of your voice. Muscle Tension Dysphonia is diagnosed through the evaluation of your larynx using a camera in your nose to view your vocal folds.
What is the Treatment for Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) in the UK?
The treatment for muscle tension dysphonia is voice therapy to reduce muscle tension and focus on effective voice use. You are likely to require 6-8 sessions of voice therapy to improve your voice.
What does Voice Therapy in the UK involve for Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?
Voice therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia in the UK involves:
Bespoke voice exercises
Exercises to reduce laryngeal tension
Improving breath support for speech
Reducing harmful behaviours
Increase vocal stamina
Improving pitch and volume
Improving voice amplification
How long does it take for Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) to go away?
Most people require 6-8 sessions that they typically book weekly. It is very important that you follow the advice and complete the exercises given by the Voice Therapist outside of sessions to assist in your recovery from Muscle Tension Dysphonia.
Why do I have a hoarse voice and a feeling of a lump in my throat?
The tightness of the muscles in your throat due to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) causes people to feel that they have a lump in their throat, tightness or tension. The medical word for this feeling is ‘Globus’ and it is very common. It can be caused by main factors including anxiety, stress and reflux. It can be very effortful you to speak when they feel tension. Through Voice therapy we examine the factors that are causing you to have this sensation and aim to reduce the tension in this area.
Why do I have a hoarse voice, mucus in my throat and feel like I need to throat clear or cough?
As a result of tension people feel in their throat due to Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) or Globus, people feel that they need to throat clear. Throat clearing often results in a habit of frequently throat clearing which produces more mucous. Throat Clearing is multi-factorial and we aim to reduce throat clearing through a thorough case history and voice therapy strategies.
Is a hoarse voice a symptom of anxiety or stress?
A hoarse voice as a result of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) may be linked with stress or anxiety. We all feel stress in different parts of our body and some people of vulnerable to holding tension within their laryngeal area. Our Voice Therapists have counselling skills that can support you to understand the emotional causes of your voice problem. If a voice problem is affecting your work, this can be an additional financial stress. Through voice therapy we can support you to improve your voice through vocal techniques to help you feel more relaxed.
Can I have Voice Therapy with the NHS in the UK?
The referral from GP to ENT can be a quick process. Unfortunatly, the wait for NHS voice therapy may take months, which could impact on your work. Our voice therapists are able to see you while you wait for NHS therapy. Voice coaching is not available in the NHS - our Voice Coaches are unique as they are also Clinical Voice Specialists.
Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy in the UK.
How can reflux affect the Voice?
Muscle Tension dysphonia (MTD) and laryngo-pharyngeal reflux often co-occur. We see clients that may have not responded to medications. Voice therapy can boost the recovery period and is essential to reduce discomfort and overcome damaging behaviours
How does reflux affect the voice ?
Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) is also known as ‘silent reflux’ because many people do not show any symptoms such as heartburn commonly associated with reflux.
What is laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR)?
Stomach juices are made up of digestive acids. Some of these juices can travel up the oesophagus, spill into the throat, affecting the voice. This is called laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR). This causes hoarseness. Additional symptoms are throat clearing, a sore dry throat, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, a feeling of phlegm in the throat, chronic cough or excessive burping. A lump in the throat sensation called ‘Globus’ is a common symptom.
How is laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) diagnosed?
An Ear, Nose and Throat doctor uses a small thin camera that is passed through your nose, to view your larynx or voice box. This is called an endoscopy. Our Voice therapist will ask you about your symptoms and often use a short questionnaire to identify your symptoms.
How is Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) treated?
It can be treated by medications to treat stomach acid, through dietary changes working with our team of Voice Therapists, and occasionally surgery.
How can a Speech Therapist help with reflux?
Muscle Tension dysphonia (MTD) and laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) often co-occur. We see clients that may have not responded to medications, and alleviate symptoms often attributed to LPR. Voice therapy can boost the recovery period and is essential to reduce discomfort and overcome damaging behaviours
Our Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.