‘Voice your problems on time’

The voice, which holds the key to recognition and identity, is probably the most abused one. With timely intervention, these can be corrected easily, say experts who stress on the need for awareness on vocal health. Be it a teacher, singer, radio jockey or a preacher, they depend a lot on their voice to sustain in their respective fields and voice is their identity. But increased dependence should come with the right degree of awareness on the strain imposed on the vocal cords. 

Dr Prakash Boominathan, Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, says that at any given time, at least six per cent of the population has voice related problems. 

“There is a considerably high percentage of people who suffer from voice-related issues. Despite the high numbers, there is a lack of awareness on the stress that vocal cords are put through and the damage that can be inflicted on them,” he adds.

Dr Prakash says that the common problems he sees among people who consult him are conditions like vocal cord nodule (thickening of vocal cords) and vocal polyps (fluid-filled collection formed on the edge of the vocal cords) apart from another emerging common condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR). 

When the refluxing of stomach acid primarily affects the oesophagus, it is termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He adds, “This is most often the result of lifestyle issues. Apart from these, cases of throat cancer can also affect a person’s voice.” 

Most of these problems are organic and not functional, says Dr Ravi Ramalingam, Senior ENT Consultant, KKR ENT Hospital & Research Institute. 

He adds, “For instance, a teacher maybe able to talk for long hours but shouting at children can put considerable strain on his or her voice. Same is the case with singers or preachers who do not give their vocal cords the rest that they require. These problems often develop organically, over a period of time.” 

Dr Prakash observes that most of his patients consult him only after they realise that the problem has been persisting and that it is more than just a sore throat. He says even children encounter vocal trauma. 

“If the patients come a few days after the early signs like change in voice patterns or a prolonged sore throat, it is easier to diagnose the problem and treat them through anti-inflammatory drugs. But if they walk in only after several months of prolonged voice related problem, the only option left could be a surgery. Most of the people who come in are middle-aged and some of the symptoms have been present in them for a while,” he says.