Take the Vocal Cords Quiz

Other activities that can lead to straining or injuring the vocal cords (vocal abuse) include throat clearing, coughing, inhaling irritants, smoking, and screaming. Vocal misuse refers to using your voice in a way that's harmful. This includes speaking too loudly or at an abnormally high or low pitch.

Others at risk include clergy, cheerleaders, and professional voice users such as singers and actors. Much of the chronic hoarseness in children is caused by vocal abuse or misuse.

Other disorders include vocal nodules, vocal polyps, and contact ulcers. Healthcare providers with training in voice and voice disorders often refer to these conditions as hyperfunctional voice disorders.

That's because they are often a problem for professional singers. Vocal nodules are callous-like growths that often form in pairs, 1 on each vocal cord. They form at the area that gets the most pressure when the cords come together to vibrate. The nodules develop from damage caused by repeated pressure on the same area. This is much like a callous forms on areas of your feet that are irritated by tight shoes.

Laryngitis is a swelling (inflammation) of the vocal cords. It may be caused by overusing your voice. It may also be caused by bacterial or viral infections. Or it can be caused by irritants such as inhaled chemicals or the backup of stomach acid into the throat (gastroesophageal reflux).

But a polyp may also be linked to:

• A thyroid gland that is less active than normal (hypothyroidism). The thyroid helps with growth and development in children and energy control in adults.
• Vocal misuse that can be either long-term (chronic) or sudden (acute)

One type of vocal polyp is called Reinke's edema or polypoid degeneration and often affects both vocal folds. It is not cancer (benign). The more common type of polyp is caused by overuse and strain of the voice, or an acute violent coughing attack linked to an illness. It's similar to a vocal nodule but softer. It's more like a blister than a callous. It most often forms on only 1 vocal cord.

The best treatment is to find and stop the vocal behavior that created the voice disorder. In many cases, a brief period of voice therapy is helpful so that you can learn good vocal techniques. These include proper breath support for speech or stopping forceful voicing.