Laryngitis

Question: Can vocal swelling symptoms be apparent in the lower register but not the higher register? After prolonged laryngitis, I thought my voice had finally recovered. But many months later, I still notice a raspy, airy and choppy quality when I sing lower notes and sometimes when I laugh there’s a lack of sound and only air escapes. I can feel it as though my vocal cords are not closing properly. Is it normal for the voice to take this long to recover after laryngitis? Should I be concerned about possibly having vocal nodules?

Answer: Swellings and inflammation of various sorts, whether acute and transient (“laryngitis”) or longer-term (nodules, polyps, etc.), cause air-wasting that gets worse as the pitch rises. That’s a robust “rule.” In addition, the “laryngitis” quality caused by swelling tends to be greater the higher one goes in the range.

On the other hand, with a weakened or atrophied vocal cord—and this can occasionally follow an upper respiratory infection—air-wasting would be common and tend to be worse in the low range than the higher part of the voice. Low voice can experience double pitch or “luffing.” And as the day progresses, the speaking voice tends to become raspier and weaker, while falsetto remains much the same.

As always, when a voice change is persistent for a month or more, it is best to see a laryngologist who can apply the Integrative Diagnostic Model in order to make a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.