Vocal nodules

Vocal nodules typically make your voice hoarse, and it may sound raspy or breathy too.

People who have vocal nodules also can’t hold a note for as long as they used to. And they can no longer sing very high or low notes, or speak in a very high or deep voice.

Using your voice too much can cause swelling in the membranes lining the vocal cords and the tissue beneath that. The vocal cords then no longer fit together properly, causing irregular vibrations that change the sound of your voice. This makes it harder to make sounds; your voice becomes hoarse or you lose your voice completely.

Things like talking too much or too loudly can lead to overuse of your voice. For instance, people who are hard of hearing usually tend to talk very loudly. Some people unknowingly use too much force when talking. This puts a lot of strain on the vocal cords too. It may happen because they are very anxious or always breathe into their chest rather than into their belly. A bad posture can also make voice problems more likely.

The risk of vocal nodules is higher in people whose work involves using their voice a lot. Professional singers are an example. Using the wrong singing technique can also increase their risk. Teachers have to talk a lot too, and they often need to raise their voices to be heard. Working in a call center, a kindergarten or daycare center can also wear out your voice.

Babies and toddlers who cry or scream a lot might overuse their vocal cords, leading to nodules.

Vocal nodules are more likely to develop in women and children. They are among the most common causes of hoarseness in children. The vocal cords of women and children are different from men's vocal cords. Men typically have tougher vocal cords that are better protected against overuse.

If you overuse your voice, both vocal cords become swollen along the edges at first – particularly between the front and middle third. These are the parts of the vocal cords that are used the most. People will already start having problems with their voice at this point. If they continue to overuse their voice, nodules develop in the swollen edges of the vocal cords. The nodules are about the size of a pinhead and are located opposite each other.

Vocal nodules don’t usually cause any serious problems. If they don’t go away, though, they can keep causing problems whenever the person uses their voice a lot.

To find out whether the problems are being caused by vocal nodules, the vocal cords need to be examined by a specialized doctor, such as an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor. This examination, known as laryngoscopy, is done using a flexible or rigid tube-like instrument called an endoscope (or laryngoscope). The mucous membranes are sometimes numbed first using a local anesthetic.

Doctors can also measure how easily the vocal cords vibrate using a special device that magnifies the vocal cords. Known as a stroboscope, this device has a light on it that flashes very quickly. The flashing light makes the vocal cords appear to move in slow motion, making it possible to take a closer look at them.

It is important to rest your voice enough, particularly if you speak or sing a lot. This can help to prevent vocal nodules.

If your voice tends to tire easily or become hoarse, voice therapy may help to prevent long-term voice problems. This type of therapy involves things like becoming more aware of your posture and breathing, as well as learning voice and breathing exercises to make your voice stronger and more resilient.

The main thing to do is rest your voice as much as possible. For instance, people who talk on the phone a lot might be able to communicate more using written messages on their phone or computer instead. Parents whose young children cry a lot can talk to their pediatrician to try to find out what they can do about it.

Older children and adults can have voice therapy – for instance, with a speech therapist – as well as resting their voice. Voice therapy involves things like learning to better coordinate your speech and breathing, relaxing and improving your posture. It makes your voice stronger.

Sometimes people are advised to moisten the membranes lining their larynx (voice box) using steam inhalations, or they may be prescribed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Medication is hardly ever used.

If the vocal nodules still don’t go away, you may be offered minor surgery to remove them. This procedure is associated with the same risks as all operations that are carried out using an anesthetic. In rare cases it can lead to scarring that changes the sound of your voice in the long term.

Vocal nodules can be a problem if you have to talk a lot – or often have to talk loudly – at work. If you keep having voice problems, it’s important to think about how you can rest your voice. For instance, tasks at work that involve using your voice a lot could perhaps be carried out by colleagues instead. If you have to raise your voice due to loud background noise, you could ask your employer to provide you with a quieter environment or a microphone.

With the help of measures like these and voice therapy, voice problems can often be kept under control. So it's important to take voice problems seriously in order to avoid needing a lot of sick leave, or even having to change your profession.

When people have problems with their voice or larynx, they usually go to their ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor first. Information about health care in Germany can help you to navigate the German health care system and find a suitable doctor. You can use this list of questions to prepare for your appointment.