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Voice Disorders

Diagnosis

Many factors can cause voice disorders:

  • Vocal abuse (voice strain or overuse)
  • Illness such as colds or upper respiratory infections
  • Throat dehydration
  • Improper throat clearing over a long time
  • Allergies
  • Esophageal reflux
  • Aging
  • Scarring from neck surgery or from trauma to the front of the neck
  • Drinking
  • Smoking
  • Cancer
  • Thyroid problems
  • Neurological disorders
  • Psychological stress
  • Normal menstrual cycle

Diagnosing voice disorders starts with a detailed history and a thorough physical examination. Mayo Clinic doctors have many diagnostic tools available to help determine the cause of a voice disorder, including:

  • Mirror exam -- By placing a mirror at the back of the throat, doctors can inspect the vocal folds for abnormalities.
  • Flexible laryngoscopy -- A flexible viewing tube is inserted into the nose to allow doctors to view the vocal folds. The tube has a light at one end and a viewing piece or camera at the other.
  • Video stroboscope -- A video camera combined with a flashing light source offers a slow-motion view of vocal fold movement.
  • Acoustic (sound) analysis -- This test measures irregularities in the sound produced by vocal fold movements.
  • Direct laryngoscope -- Doctors use a rigid viewing scope to examine vocal folds.
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