Weak vocal chords

[karma22]

I think I have weak vocal chords. I have a really weak voice in the morning, not so bad in the afternoon but its annoying cus my voice doesn't come out properly on the phone at work when I answer it but also when I phone people I sound really strained.

Is there anything I can do to improve this apart from singing (which I can't also do)?

[daffy654]

Are you a smoker or asthmatic? both of those things can cause a voice to appear weaker in the morning than later in the day.

[sqad617]

Difficult problem with many causes, but almost certainly stress related.

[karma22]

No I'm not a smoker.

I'm not asthmatic though I have had a cough for about 6 months or longer and thats no exaggeration but even before I had my cough my voice was weaker in the mornings.

Stress - well yes I certainly do feel stressed and unhappy thats for sure.

[ummmm]

My voice is not the greatest and my sons is croaky all the time. I can barely understand him sometimes and if he shouts he barely has a voice.

[karma22]

I do get a lot of phlegm though and find myself having to clear my throat a lot by going ahem

[ummmm]

Oh.....my sons not stressed. Unless I babysit for my mates daughter then he becomes very stressed.

[daffy654]

If you have really had a cough for that long then your GP needs to investigate why.It could still be asthma even if you haven't been diagnosed as yet.I was 21 before I got my diagnosis.

[karma22]

hmm I wonder what causes it though? It can make your throat feel quite tight and sore if you are trying to force you're voice out on the phone in the morning

[karma22]

yeah I ought to go back to gp. Last time they said it could be hayfever related. I don't think it has been so bad lately my cough thinking about it. My mum has asthma though.

[corylus]

see a speech therapist, you should be able to self refer without a doctor's referral. Look up speech and language therapy services in phone book under your local health authority's page of services, or just ring local hospital and ask for adult speech therapy clinics

[karma22]

hadn't thought of that actually chorylus. Thanks for that suggestion. And thank you everyone else!

[daffy654]

corylus.........any reputable speech therapist would advise karma to get her cough sorted out first before seeking their help.

[sqad617]

karma.......ignore all the well meaning posters and listen to what I have to say.

There are many causes, including paralysis of one vocal cord or "bowing" of both vocal cords. These can only be confirmed or ruled out by seeing an ENT surgeon who will visualize your vocal cords.

[karma22]

chrikey that sounds serious sqad.

[corylus]

daffy and karma, any qualified and registered speech and language therapist would obviously ask for an ENT opinion if thought necessary before commencing treatment.

[corylus]

any qualified, registered speech and language therapist would certainly refer you for an ENT examination if this was thought necessary. There could be many reasons for your poor voice quality, so seek professional help.