What causes loss of voice?
Voice loss is often due to acute laryngitis. Laryngitis occurs when your larynx (voice box) becomes irritated and inflamed. Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections, like the common cold.
You can also irritate your voice box when you overuse your voice — like when yelling at a sports game or concert — or from exposure to environmental irritants like pollution and smoke.
Inflammation of the voice box
Your voice box contains your vocal cords. When you talk, your vocal cords open and close smoothly. As air passes through them, they vibrate to make sounds.
When your vocal cords are swollen or inflamed, your voice becomes distorted and may sound hoarse, raspy, or become too quiet to hear.
Laryngitis typically heals on its own and lasts less than 3 or 4 weeks. However, it can sometimes become chronic (long-lasting).
Treating laryngitis and getting your voice back involves treating the inflammation and irritation in your voice box.
Here are some methods to try.
