Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Hoarseness (also called dysphonia) is when your voice sounds rough, strained, raspy, or different than usual. A hoarse voice can be caused by a cold or flu, allergies, acid reflux, voice overuse, aging, and other conditions. Hoarseness usually improves within a couple of weeks with vocal care and voice rest, but you should seek treatment if it lasts longer than 3 weeks.
Key takeaways
Hoarseness (also called dysphonia) is when your voice sounds rough, raspy, breathy, strained, softer, or different than usual.
A hoarse voice isn't always caused by being sick. Voice overuse, allergies, acid reflux, aging, stress, and other conditions can also affect your voice.
Most cases of hoarseness improve within a few days to a couple of weeks with good vocal care and voice rest.
See a healthcare provider if your hoarseness lasts longer than 3 weeks or you also notice trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, coughing up blood, neck swelling, or complete voice loss.
A speech-language pathologist can help improve voice quality through personalized voice therapy if hoarseness continues or keeps coming back.
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Get startedWhat is hoarseness?
Hoarseness is a change in how your voice sounds. This change can range from mild to severe. Your voice may become rough, raspy, or strained. A hoarse voice may also sound weak, breathy, or lower in pitch than your usual voice.
What is a raspy voice (and is it the same as hoarseness)?
A raspy voice is usually the same thing as hoarseness, also called dysphonia. “Hoarseness means your voice sounds rough, raspy, breathy, strained, softer than usual, or changes in pitch because your vocal cords aren't vibrating normally,” explains Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at Expressable.
What is a hoarse voice a symptom of?
A hoarse voice happens when something irritates, inflames, or changes the way your vocal cords work. Many causes are temporary, while others may need medical treatment.
Your vocal cords sit inside your larynx, or voice box. When air from your lungs passes through them, they vibrate to create sound. Anything that affects these structures can cause hoarseness.
Why is my voice hoarse but I’m not sick?
You don't have to be sick to develop a hoarse voice. Many people become hoarse because of voice overuse, allergies, acid reflux, stress, aging, or other conditions that affect the vocal cords.
Even without a cold or flu, your vocal cords can become irritated or swollen. Common causes can include:
Laryngitis, often caused by a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection
Respiratory infections
Allergies and postnasal drip
Speaking, singing, cheering, or yelling for long periods
Speaking in a pitch that's much higher than your normal voice
Regular use of vocal fry, or speaking at a very low tone of voice
Acid reflux (GERD or laryngopharyngeal reflux
Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
Aging, which naturally changes the vocal cords
Vocal nodules, cysts, or polyps
Vocal cord paralysis or paresis
Muscle tension dysphonia
Vocal cord hemorrhage
Neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson's disease
Less commonly, cancers affecting the throat, voice box, or lungs
What is a voice disorder? Learn the symptoms of vocal cord damage and other common voice disorders, along with how voice therapy works.
When should I be worried about hoarseness?
Most hoarseness improves on its own within a couple of weeks. If your voice stays hoarse for more than three weeks, or you notice other warning signs (e.g., trouble breathing, coughing up blood, pain when speaking/swallowing), it's time to see a healthcare provider.
If you have ongoing hoarseness, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT) can examine your vocal cords. They’ll likely recommend working with a speech-language pathologist (or speech therapist) who specializes in voice disorders.
A speech therapist can evaluate your voice, including your pitch, loudness, quality, and vocal range, and then create an individualized treatment plan for you.
How do you treat a hoarse voice?
Treatment depends on what's causing your hoarseness. For many people, voice therapy and healthy vocal habits help improve voice quality and prevent future problems.
“Voice therapy helps you learn to use your voice safely, efficiently, and comfortably,” explains Barnes. “This is especially helpful for people who rely on their voice for work, such as teachers, coaches, hairdressers, attorneys, and sales professionals.”
Voice therapy may include:
Learning healthy breathing techniques for speaking
Reducing harmful voice habits, such as yelling or shouting
Improving hydration and other vocal health habits
Practicing voice therapy exercises that strengthen and balance the vocal cords
Stretching and massage to reduce muscle tension
Voice therapy can help you:
Reduce swelling and inflammation
Improve voice quality
Reduce muscle tension
Improve breath support
Increase speaking endurance
Improve control of pitch and volume
Vocal cord damage and vocal cord dysfunction can cause hoarseness and strain. Learn symptoms, causes, and how to heal your vocal cords.
How long does treatment for hoarseness last?
Voice therapy often lasts 4 to 8 weeks, with one or two sessions each week. However, the exact timeline depends on the cause of your hoarseness, its severity, and how consistently you practice the techniques between sessions.
Barnes emphasizes that “Voice therapy is a process that takes time. Be patient and give yourself grace along the way. It may take weeks or months of practice to see a difference, but stick with it, and you’ll see great improvements in the quality of your voice!”
Losing your voice to laryngitis can be frustrating. Our vocal therapists share at-home remedies to get your voice back quickly.
Tips for preventing a hoarse voice
The importance of good vocal hygiene can’t be overstated! Healthy vocal habits can lower your risk of developing hoarseness and help protect your voice over time.
Some simple ways to care for your voice include:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Take full, easy breaths while speaking instead of talking until you're out of air.
Breathe through your nose when possible to help warm and humidify the air.
Work with your healthcare provider to manage allergies or acid reflux.
Give your voice regular breaks, especially if you talk a lot for work.
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Speak comfortably instead of forcing your voice to be louder than necessary.
Avoid frequent throat clearing. Instead, swallow or take a sip of water.
Teletherapy for voice disorders
If your healthcare provider recommends voice therapy, working with an online speech therapist can make getting care easier and more convenient. Expressable's speech therapists provide evidence-based voice therapy through secure video sessions that you can attend from home.
Online therapy makes it easier to fit treatment into your schedule, with flexible appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Taking care of your voice today can help protect it for years to come. If you're experiencing ongoing hoarseness, a speech-language pathologist can help you understand what's causing it and create a treatment plan that's right for you. Click here to get started.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Hoarseness, also called dysphonia, means your voice sounds rough, raspy, breathy, strained, softer than usual, or different in pitch. It happens when your vocal cords aren't vibrating normally and is usually not a sign of a serious illness.
Your voice often becomes raspier in the evening because your vocal cords have been working all day. Vocal fatigue, dehydration, acid reflux, and postnasal drip are some of the most common reasons.
Most hoarseness improves within a few days to two weeks. If it lasts more than three weeks, or you have trouble breathing, swallowing, neck swelling, coughing up blood, or complete voice loss, contact a healthcare provider.
Yes. Stress and anxiety can tighten the muscles around your voice box, change your breathing, worsen acid reflux, and lead to muscle tension dysphonia, all of which can make your voice sound hoarse or strained.
Vocal rest often helps hoarseness caused by temporary voice strain or inflammation, but it isn't a cure for every cause. It's most effective when combined with hydration, healthy voice habits, and treatment for any underlying condition. Avoid whispering, since whispering can actually strain your vocal cords more than speaking softly.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
