Update May 2023

Among the most common symptoms of Omicron BA.5 are sore throat, runny nose, cough, and hoarseness. Hoarseness is increasingly being observed as a symptom of COVID-19. It is highly unlikely for hoarseness to occur as the only symptom.

After a COVID-19 infection, we often see patients with pronounced hoarseness without visible changes to the vocal cords. This is a post-COVID functional voice disorder that can usually be effectively treated by us.

In a functional voice disorder, there are changes in the voice quality and limitations in vocal performance without apparent organic changes to the vocal organs. The voice disorder is caused by unfavorable voice use. In functional voice disorders, a distinction is made between "excessive voice use" (hyperfunctional dysphonia) and "insufficient voice use" (hypofunctional dysphonia). Rare cases such as habitual dysphonia (hoarseness) or aphonia (loss of voice) following a COVID-19 infection have also been observed.

However, a vocal cord injury caused by severe coughing during a COVID-19 infection could result in organic changes such as bleeding or thickening. Scarring of the vocal cords or larynx due to intubation during a severe course of COVID-19 could also be the cause of hoarseness.

Treatment for post-COVID voice disorders:

It is important to establish the correct diagnosis and rule out other causes. The vocal cords should be examined using modern HD stroboscopy. A simple examination with a mirror or a basic endoscopy performed by an ENT doctor is not sufficient.

In most cases, professional speech therapy voice training can successfully treat the symptoms. If there is no improvement, intervention may be necessary. Treatment with Botox or hyaluronic acid (depending on the findings) is often considered and shows good results. Organic changes can usually be easily treated with the blue laser under local anesthesia. Scarring, on the other hand, requires a more complex treatment approach and is usually addressed through larynx or vocal cord reconstruction under general anesthesia.

Schedule an appointment

To make an appointment, you can reach us by phone at 01752920000, contact us via WhatsApp, or send us an email at contact@thevoiceclinic.de.

Alternatively, you can also visit us directly (please make an appointment in advance):

TheVoice Clinic

Medical Center for Voice Disorders, Swallowing Difficulties, Respiratory Diseases, and Laser Therapy

Dr. med. A. Nasr

Bahnhofstraße 22

71034 Böblingen

We look forward to helping you!