Speech Disorder: Voice Cause: Voice disorders are caused by problems when air passes from the lungs,

through the vocal cords, and then through the throat, nose, mouth, and lips. A voice disorder may be due to: Acid from the stomach moving upward Cancer of the throat Cleft palate or other problems with the palate Conditions that damage the nerves that supply the muscles of the vocal cords Laryngeal webs or clefts a birth defect in which a thin layer of tissue is between the vocal cords! "oncancerous growths polyps, nodules, cysts, granulomas, papillomas, or ulcers! on the vocal cords #veruse of the vocal cords from screaming, constantly clearing the throat, or singing

Symptoms: Voice disorders: $oarseness or raspiness to the voice Voice may brea% in or out &itch of the voice may change suddenly Voice may be too loud or too soft 'ay run out of air during a sentence Speech may sound odd because too much air is escaping through the hose hypernasality! or too little air is coming out through the nose hyponasality!

Common causes of hoarseness in children:

Infections A hoarse voice often occurs when a child has a virus infection such as a cold or Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx / vocal cords). The hoarseness resulting from a viral infection is temporary and usually disappears when the infection clears. Encourage your child to frequently sip fluids and rest their voice until they get etter. Reflux (Laryngopharyngeal reflux) is thought to e a cause of some children!s voice pro lems. At this stage there is not enough evidence to suggest this is the case. Vocal Nodules / Cysts / Polyps These are "nown as benign lesions of the vocal folds which involve a thic"ening of the lining of the vocal fold. They are caused y tissue !stress! during excessive voice use such as screaming or prolonged loud tal"ing or crying. The most common treatment for a hoarse voice associated with benign vocal fold lesions in childhood is voice therapy. #oice therapy is ased on voice care education and training. This involves your child$ their family and their social and educational environment$ such as a school. %ome lesions may require surgical removal.

Uncommon causes of hoarseness in children

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) This is a viral infection caused y the human papilloma virus (HPV) which results in wart li"e growths on the vocal folds. A child with this condition often has a very hoarse and harsh sounding voice. &reathing pro lems may occur if the growths o struct the reathing passage. Treatment for ''( is medical and surgical and usually managed y an )tolaryngologist. Tumours / Cancers These are extremely rare in children ut any persistent voice pro lem or reathing pro lems should e investigated y an )tolaryngologist$ especially if they are getting worse. A Hemangioma (an a normal collection of lood vessels) is an example of enign (not cancerous) tumour which is usually detected in young a ies and associated with an a normal cry.