We use our voice to communicate with those around us. Communication is important to express our thoughts and feelings. Some voice disorders can be considered as speech disorders that can affect the way words are formed, and this can cause a decrease in self-esteem and even depression. Voice disorders are very common and can occur at any age, and a speech therapy evaluation is the first place to start. Early intervention can help with: Creating sound hygiene, checking and fixing weaknesses related to structural and functional issues on sound production, improving self-awareness of sound quality, improving a person to increase communication skills, increasing communication and successful partnerships, and providing appropriate training for a person's condition will also help. What are voice disorders? If you have a problem with the pitch, tone and other qualities of your voice, you may have one of the types of voice disorders. Voice disorders occur when the vocal cords do not move and vibrate normally. When the air is forced out of the lungs and passes through the vocal cords and produces sound, the vocal cords have two pleated tissues that form the voice box, which is the larynx, the vibration of these vocal cords causes sound production. Types of voice disorders **1. Laryngitis** Laryngoitis occurs when the vocal cords swell and the voice becomes hoarse and the person may have difficulty speaking. **2. Paralysis of vocal chords** The vocal cords can be paralyzed or to some extent Shundein's paralysis can also be caused by a viral infection that affects the nerves of the vocal cords or nerve damage during surgery or when a breathing tube is in the throat, such as a stroke or cancer. **3. Spasmodic dysphonia** This is a type of neural voice disorder that causes spasm of the vocal cords. It can be compressed, trembling, sharp, harsh or moaning. Sometimes the voice may seem normal, in other cases the person may not be able to speak. The treatment is speech therapy and botulinum toxin injection in the vocal cords. What causes voice disorders? For a normal voice, the vocal cords should be gently in contact with each other inside the larynx. Anything that interferes with the movement or contact of the vocal cords can cause voice disorders. Many voice and voice disorders can be treated if diagnosed early **Voice disorders can have different causes, which include:** **1. The presence of extra tissue on the vocal cords:** These cysts and masses cause the vocal cords to not work normally. These masses can include fluid-filled sacs called cysts, wart-like masses called papillomas, or cotton-like bumps called nodules. There may be pieces of damaged tissue called lesions or areas of scar tissue. In some people, a band of tissue called tar can grow between the vocal cords. These growths can include a small area of ​​chronic inflammation (granuloma) and small blisters called polyps. The growth of these fibers can have many reasons, including disease, injury, cancer or excessive use of voice. Inflammation and swelling (GERD): Many things can cause inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords, including surgery, illness, respiratory allergies, some medications, exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive use of voice. **2. Neurological problems:** Some conditions can affect the health of the nerves that control the vocal cords, which can include multiple polyps and Huntington's diseases. Surgery or laryngitis, sclerosis, Gravis, Benmari Parkinson, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can also damage the vocal cord nerves. Hormones: Disorders in thyroid, male and female hormones and growth hormones can cause voice disorders. **3. Excessive use of voice:** If the voice is used excessively and stretched a lot while speaking, the vocal cords are under pressure and cause disturbances in the throat muscles and affect the voice, which causes voice and speech disorders. Talking too much, shouting, coughing a lot, smoking, and constantly clearing the throat can be mentioned. Excessive use of the voice can cause nodules and polyps in the vocal cords, which in some cases may rupture these vocal cords. What are the symptoms of voice disorders? You may feel pain or a lump in your throat while talking, or you may feel pain when you touch the outside of your throat, which **symptoms include:** - Sound vibration - Harsh voice - Smooth or choppy sound - Weak or breathless voice - Too high or low volume How are voice disorders treated? **Treatment of voice disorders depends on the cause that causes it, which are:** Lifestyle changes: If you speak loudly or sing, you should give your voice a break. Exercises to relax the vocal cords and the muscles around them can be useful, and drinking fluids helps to improve voice disorders. Speech therapy: A speech therapist can also help with some voice disorders, and its treatment includes changes in speech behaviors, including the timing of deep breaths to strengthen speech with enough breaths. medicine Injections surgery **Learn more: voice therapy and speech therapy and the cause of hoarseness**