This hoarseness will be temporary and usually disappears when the infection clears. Infections: a hoarse voice often happens when a child has a viral infection, such as a cold or laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box).In some instances, lesions may need surgical removal. Rest their voice by not talking loudly or shouting. Vocal nodules/cysts/polyps: these are known as benign lesions (areas of damage that are not cancer) of the vocal folds, and they are caused by tissue stress during excessive voice use, such as screaming or prolonged loud talking or crying. Encourage your child to.Other common causes of hoarseness in children include: Hoarseness is usually related to the way children use their voices, rather than a serious illness. Hoarseness is quite common in children. If your child has a hoarse voice, a joint assessment by an ENT specialist and a speech pathologist in a voice clinic may be needed. There are also some rare medical conditions that may cause voice disorders in children.

excessive use of harsh voice 'sound effects' during play.Voice disorders in children are usually caused by: Voice disorders often involve problems with the vocal folds. The vocal folds are thin muscle bands that produce vibrations (sound) used for speaking.

What causes voice disorders?Ī person’s voice is the sound produced by the vocal folds in their larynx (voice box). Your child may be referred to a speech pathologist or specialist doctor, such as a paediatrician or ear, nose and If your child has a hoarse voice that is getting worse or not getting better, or if you are concerned about your child's voice for any reason, see your GP for advice. Infants with voice disorders may have a cry that is weak or has a harsh or hoarse quality, or they may have noisy breathing. Poor voice quality may make it hard for your child to communicate effectively, and may make them lose self-confidence or affect the way other people see them.

as though too much air is coming down through the nose during speech.Ĭhildren with voice disorders often have voices that tire easily or they have difficulty projecting their voice.

as though they are speaking through a blocked nose.

too loud or too quiet, or they may have 'lost' their voice entirely.

If your child has a voice disorder, their voice may sound: Most voice disorders are harmless and disappear on their own, though some require the help of a specialist. Children with voice disorders may have harsh or hoarse voices, or voices that are too high or low, too loud or too nasal. Voice disorders are fairly common in children, with about five per cent of children experiencing a chronic (long-lasting) voice disorder.Ī voice disorder is when the quality of a person's voice is noticeably different to the voices of others who are the same age and sex.

Voicey sounds