Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service Fact sheet : voice disorders in adults and children

Your health: Voice disorders in adults and children

A voice disorder is an impairment in the way the vocal cords and speech mechanism work to produce ‘voice’ (e.g. ‘aahhh’).

A voice disorder causes the voice to alter in a number of ways:

Nasality
- Hypernasal voice – where air comes out of the nose (sounding like a snort)
- Hyponasal voice – the person sounds like they have a blocked nose even though they do not have a cold

Vocal nodules or calluses. These form on the vocal cords as a result of misusing the voice. Speech Pathologists commonly see professional voice users such as singers, actors and aerobics instructors or people who use their voice excessively for their work (e.g. teachers). They may also see children who scream excessively.
Progressive, neurological disorders
Working in a poor environment (dust, fumes, etc)
Poor vocal hygiene (lack of water, excessive throat clearing or coughing)

Speech Pathologists provide education to parents and children about how their voice works and about how to care for the voice.
Speech Pathologists also provide treatment to assist children to use their voice in the best possible way.

If you have noticed your or your child’s voice quality change over a period of time
Painful, effortful voice
Reduced ability to participate in normal speaking situations