Hoarseness (dysphonia) is when your voice sounds raspy, strained or breathy. The volume (how loud or soft you speak) may be different and so may the pitch (how high or low your voice sounds). There are many causes of hoarseness but, fortunately, most are not serious and tend to go away after a short time.

What causes hoarseness?

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).

What does a hoarse voice signify?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NICDC) note that hoarseness refers to a voice that sounds raspy or strained with a lower pitch or softer volume. It can indicate an issue with the vocal cords or throat. Hoarseness may be a sign of inflammation in the larynx, known as laryngitis.