Disorders in the vocal cords of the voice box, or larynx.
Some less common causes of hoarseness include: 1  polyps (abnormal growths) on the vocal cords. 2  throat, thyroid, or lung cancer. 3  damage to the throat, such as from the insertion of a tube. 4  male adolescence (when the voice deepens). 5  poorly functioning thyroid gland. Common Underlying Causes of Hoarseness. Hoarseness is typically caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Other common factors that can cause, contribute to, or worsen your condition include: 1  acid reflux. 2  smoking. 3  drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Abnormal changes in the voice are called hoarseness. When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained, or show changes in volume or pitch (depending on how high or low the voice is). Voice changes are related to disorders in the sound-producing parts (vocal folds) of the voice box (larynx). Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD): A possible cause of hoarseness is gastro-esophageal reflux, when stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (esophagus) and irritates the vocal folds. Other typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation. Usually, the voice is worse in the morning and improves during the day. Hoarseness is a symptom and not a disease. It is a general term that describes abnormal voice changes. When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained, or there may be changes in volume (loudness) or pitch (how high or low the voice is).  Hoarseness, an abnormal change in your voice, is a common condition that’s often experienced in conjunction with a dry or scratchy throat. If your voice is hoarse, you may have a raspy, weak, or airy quality to your voice that prevents you from making smooth vocal sounds. Common Underlying Causes of Hoarseness. Hoarseness is typically caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Other common factors that can cause, contribute to, or worsen your condition include: 1  acid reflux. 2  smoking. 3  drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Hoarseness can be caused by a number of conditions. The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis (inflammation of the vocal cords) caused most often by an upper respiratory tract infection (usually viral), and less commonly from overuse or misuse of the voice (such as from yelling or singing). Other causes of hoarseness include: 1  benign vocal cord nodules, cysts or polyps, 2  gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), 3  allergies, 4  inhalation of respiratory tract irritants, 5  smoking, 6  thyroid problems, 7  trauma to the larynx/vocal cords, 8  neurological conditions (such as Parkinson's disease and strokes), and. 9  cancer of the larynx. 1 Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the voice. 2  The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis. 3  The underlying cause of hoarseness can usually be diagnosed by a health care professional based on the patient's history and physical exam. Acute Laryngitis: The most common cause is acute laryngitisswelling of the vocal folds that occurs during a common cold, upper respiratory tract viral infection, or from voice strain. Serious injury to the vocal folds can result from strenuous voice use during an episode of acute laryngitis. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD): A possible cause of hoarseness is gastro-esophageal reflux, when stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (esophagus) and irritates the vocal folds. Other typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation. Usually, the voice is worse in the morning and improves during the day. Hoarse voice is an abnormal change in your voice caused by disorders in the vocal cords of the voice box, or larynx. The vocal cords are normally open but make sounds by coming together when you speak, sing or hum. When your voice is hoarse, it is an indication that these vibrations of the vocal folds are being hindered by mucus, swellings, obstructions or other changes in the surface of the larynx. Misuse of the voice, such as prolonged talking or shouting, is a common cause of hoarse voice. Other possible causes include tobacco use, marijuana use, and exposure to chemicals—even those found in some household cleansers—or pollutants.  Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box, or larynx (say LAIR-inks), that causes your voice to become raspy or hoarse. Laryngitis can be short-term or long-lasting (chronic). Most of the time, it comes on quickly and lasts no more than 2 weeks. Chronic symptoms are those that last 2 weeks or longer. 
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what causes a hoarse voice