Understanding Voice Disorders in Children: Causes, Types, and Treatment
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Voice disorders in children are more common than many parents might realize. Vocal problems can affect a child’s communication, social interactions, and overall well-being.
At Expressable, we understand the importance of vocal health for children. In this article, we explain the types of pediatric voice disorders, what causes voice problems in children, symptoms to look for, and how speech therapy can help. By recognizing the signs early, parents can take steps to support their child’s vocal development and quality of life.
Curious or concerned?
Our free screener is tailored by age and covers all areas of speech, language, and feeding. Find out if your child might need speech therapy.
Screener for childrenWhat is a voice disorder?
Before exploring specific voice disorders, it’s important to understand what a voice disorder is. Voice refers to the sound produced by the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box). A voice disorder occurs when sound production is impaired, leading to hoarseness, vocal fatigue, pitch abnormalities, or even voice loss.
Children with voice disorders may struggle to communicate clearly. This can affect their confidence and participation in activities.
What causes voice disorders in children?
In a recent study of 1,154 caregivers of children ages 4 to 12, 6.7% of children currently had voice problems, with 12% having had them at some point. Risk factors for voice problems in children include:
Frequent talking
Vocal strain
Frequent coughing or throat clearing
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Boys, children with speech intelligibility issues, and those in larger households were more likely to have voice disorders. Infections and nerve damage can also cause voice problems.
What do these findings mean?
The results of this study show that voice complaints in children are common and can significantly impact their quality of life. Traditionally, pediatric voice disorders have been attributed to "abusive" vocal behaviors, such as too much yelling. The expectation was that children would simply outgrow these issues.
However, changes in pitch, loudness, and overall vocal quality can interfere with a child’s ability to communicate. Recent research highlights that children with voice disorders often receive negative attention and may be less likely to participate in activities. That’s why early intervention and support is so important.
Symptoms of voice disorders in children
Recognizing the signs of a voice disorder can help parents seek the right care and prevent further vocal damage. Common symptoms of voice disorders in children include:
Hoarseness or breathiness
Strained or choppy voice
Changes in pitch or a voice that sounds too high or low
Throat pain or a feeling of a lump when swallowing
Vocal fatigue or loss of voice after speaking
Types of voice disorders in children
Several types of voice disorders can affect children, including:
Laryngitis: Swelling of the vocal cords, often caused by infections or overuse. Acute laryngitis goes away with rest and hydration. Chronic laryngitis may need ongoing treatment.
Vocal cord paralysis: Partial or complete immobility of the vocal cords, leading to a weak or breathy voice. Causes include nerve damage from surgery, infections, or trauma.
Spasmodic dysphonia: A neurological condition causing involuntary spasms in the vocal cords, resulting in a quivery or tight voice.
Vocal nodules: Callous-like growths on the vocal cords due to vocal abuse (for example, frequent yelling). Nodules can cause a rough, hoarse voice, but this often improves with speech therapy.
Vocal polyps: Blister-like growths that cause breathiness and voice fatigue. Like nodules, polyps often result from vocal strain but may need medical intervention.
Expert voice therapy from home
We offer online voice training and rehabilitation that's tailored to your goals. Get matched with a voice therapist today.
Get startedHow to help your child take care of their voice
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in preventing and managing voice disorders in children. Here are some helpful strategies you can use at home to take care of your child’s voice:
Encourage your child to drink lots of water to keep vocal cords moist
Teach your child to avoid too much shouting and to take vocal breaks
Model calm, gentle communication yourself, especially in emotionally charged situations
Make sure your home is smoke-free
Pay attention to your child’s voice and contact a speech therapist if you notice problems
How speech therapy helps kids with voice disorders
Treatment for pediatric voice disorders largely depends on the diagnosis and cause. Speech therapy can be highly beneficial for children with voice disorders, especially for kids who use their voice aggressively or need to project their voice in activities like sports.
Voice therapy focuses on teaching techniques for comfortable vocal use. Your speech therapist will also show you how to reinforce these techniques at home. That way your child can practice regularly and achieve better results.
Vocal hygiene and hydration are a large part of treatment, but they’re not the only focus. The main goal is to directly improve the child’s vocal quality and motivate them to participate in therapy and take care of their voice. Involving parents and caregivers is a key part of treatment.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common treatments for voice disorders in children.
Resonant voice treatment: Resonant voice therapy helps kids learn to speak in a way that’s gentle on their vocal cords. It starts with basic exercises to help them produce sound effortlessly, without straining their voice. Over time, they practice these skills in regular speech, focusing on keeping their voice strong and clear, but with minimal effort and stress on their vocal cords.
Other techniques: Other techniques include diaphragmatic breathing, lip trills, stretching, and neck and laryngeal massage. Vocal function exercises can help improve breath support, reduce muscle tension, and enhance vocal fold closure. The goal is to improve voice quality and reduce vocal effort and fatigue.
It isn’t always easy for kids to comply with voice treatment. However, when their vocal fatigue improves, or they start finding it easier to talk, this can motivate them to continue!
Medical management: When voice disorders are linked to medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), medication management might be necessary. This type of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.
How online voice therapy works
If your healthcare provider recommends speech therapy, working with an online speech therapist can offer several advantages over in-practice settings. Here’s why teletherapy might be the right fit for your family:
Convenience and flexibility
Online speech therapy allows children to attend sessions from the comfort of home, so there’s no need for travel. This makes scheduling easier, with options for appointments after school, in the evenings, or on weekends to fit your family’s routine.
Affordable care
Without the overhead costs of maintaining a physical practice, online therapy services can pass those savings on to families. This makes voice therapy more accessible and budget-friendly.
Proven effectiveness
A wealth of research shows no significant difference in outcomes between online and in-person speech therapy. With a licensed speech-language pathologist, your child will receive high-quality care tailored to their needs.
Is your child struggling with their voice? Expressable can help. Get matched with a therapist who’s experienced with voice problems. Remember, the early treatment begins, the sooner your child will start to see the results!
