Heather Gross, M.S., CCC-SLP
Losing your voice can be frustrating and disruptive, whether it disappears overnight, is a lingering effect of being sick, or is tied to a chronic condition. There are ways to get your voice back quickly from laryngitis using home strategies like steam inhalation and gentle vocal exercises. With a proper vocal hygiene routine, you can support your vocal folds as they recover and build healthy habits for long-term vocal health.
Key takeaways
Acute laryngitis, or voice loss, is typically caused by temporary irritation or inflammation of the vocal cords.
You can lose your voice from an upper respiratory infection, after prolonged vocal use, or after using your voice at a high intensity.
While there’s no instant cure for laryngitis, there are ways to soothe your voice and support healing so you can get your voice back.
Recovery for acute voice loss can range from a couple days to two weeks. If vocal changes last longer than two weeks, seek care from an ENT doctor.
A voice therapist can help you develop healthy vocal habits for long-term vocal health.
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Get startedWhat causes sudden voice loss?
The larynx (voice box) contains our vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound. Acute laryngitis, or voice loss, is typically caused by temporary irritation or inflammation of the vocal cords, which prevents them from coming together as easily or effectively. Laryngitis usually lasts less than three weeks, and it may have other symptoms like hoarseness, dry throat, and a dry cough.
You can develop laryngitis from an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu. It can also happen because of vocal strain from prolonged vocal use (speaking or singing for a long time without vocal rest or recovery) or using the voice at a high intensity (such as yelling at a concert or sporting event).
Quick recovery: How to get your voice back fast
Laryngitis can be frustrating, and people often want to get their voice back quickly. While there’s no instant cure for laryngitis, there are effective ways to support healing and soothe your voice. Here are 5 techniques that voice therapists recommend:
1 Rest your voice
Vocal rest is important. Limit speaking as much as possible, and avoid whispering. We recommend approximately 10 minutes of vocal rest per every 1 hour of speaking.
2 Avoid things that irritate your larynx
Reduce your exposure to any fumes, allergens, or chemicals that can further irritate your throat, such as smoke. Try to avoid dry or polluted air.
3 Keep your voice hydrated
Maintaining vocal health involves both systemic and surface-level hydration. Drinking water supports overall body hydration, while using tools like vocal mist or a portable nebulizer can improve the moisture on the surface of the vocal folds. Studies show that using a 0.9% isotonic saline solution in a nebulizer lowers the phonation threshold pressure, which is the effort it takes to initiate vocal cord vibration. That means well-hydrated vocal cords allow for easier speaking and singing.
A humidifier or steamer can also help by thinning the mucus that results from vocal strain or respiratory infections.
4 Use the right kind of throat lozenges
Avoid menthol-based lozenges or cough drops, which can dry out the throat mucosa. Instead, use pectin-based options or lozenges containing manuka honey. These act as oral demulcents, forming a soothing film over the mucous membranes of the throat to relieve irritation and dryness. These types of lozenges work well for hydrating the throat.
5 Do gentle vocal exercises
Think of these as a light “massage” or stretch for your vocal cords. Research suggests that combining gentle vocal exercises with vocal rest can lead to faster recovery compared to rest alone. These exercises may include:
Gentle humming
Yawn sigh sounds
A speech therapist can determine which exercises are most helpful for you and show you how to do them.
How to protect your voice when you’re sick
Acute inflammation in the vocal folds increases our vulnerability to vocal fatigue, strain, and injury. When you have a respiratory illness like a cold or flu, follow these tips to protect your voice:
Singers should refrain from pushing their voices to extreme upper or lower ranges.
Avoid high-intensity vocalizations, such as belting or speaking at a high volume.
After an illness, reintroduce vocal use gradually and with ease.
Prioritize your overall wellness. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and eat nutritious foods to support your immune system.
Winter weather can affect your voice. Learn how to take care of your vocal health in the winter and during cold and flu season.
How long does it take to get your voice back?
The typical recovery for acute voice loss can range from one or two days to one to two weeks. If vocal changes or complete voice loss last longer than two weeks, it’s a good idea to seek care from a laryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor specializing in the voice.
How voice therapy can help your long-term vocal health
There are many vocal health practices you can use at home to support your voice after an episode of acute voice loss. However, if vocal changes or difficulties last for more than two weeks or become chronic, working with a voice therapist can play an important role in maintaining long-term vocal health.
A voice therapist can work with your doctor to identify and address the underlying causes of voice problems, while also helping you develop healthy vocal habits to prevent future voice issues.
Find the right voice therapist for your needs here. We'll answer your questions and help you decide on next steps.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Sudden voice loss can happen after illness, vocal strain, or injury. It can also be caused by emotional stress, known as psychogenic aphonia, where the voice stops working even though the vocal cords are healthy.
It may not always be possible to get your voice back overnight. However, there are at-home remedies you can use to support your vocal health. These include steaming and throat lozenges to support surface hydration, vocal rest, gentle vocal exercises, and whole body restoration and sleep.
It’s important to support your holistic health during and after illness. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and eat nutritious foods to support your immune system. Avoid pushing or straining your voice, since the voice is more susceptible to injuries and fatigue when it’s acutely inflamed.
You can develop laryngitis after using your voice at a high intensity, such as yelling at a concert or sporting event. Combining vocal rest with gentle vocal exercises is the best way to support your vocal health following periods of high vocal load.
If your voice is already compromised, there’s no truly “quick fix” that safely restores it. However, you can improve how it functions and avoid further inflammation or irritation before a performance by focusing on hydration, sleep, rest, and gentle vocal exercises. Reach out to a doctor or vocal therapist for support. Repeated “quick fixes” before a performance may signal an underlying root cause or cause long-term damage.
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