Question
My son is 5 and a half years old. His speaking voice has been hoarse and raspy for the past two months, and he hasn’t had a cold. Will this have any impact on his future voice?
Answer
A hoarse voice is likely a problem with the vocal cords. Short-term hoarseness might be due to inflammation, but for longer-lasting symptoms, it’s important to have an otolaryngology examination. You may need to take symptomatic anti-inflammatory medication and drugs to relieve vocal cord swelling. Additionally, spicy foods should be avoided! Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water. It’s also best to undergo a laryngoscopy to check for any polyps or nodules on the vocal cords that might be causing the hoarseness.