raspy voice after intubation?
Hey Jen,
Sorry your voice is hoarse. I'm a speech pathologist and I've worked in hospitals for 10 years and specialized in voice several years ago, so I do see this from time to time. Your vocal folds are probably swollen and irritated from the endotracheal tube rubbing between them. You typically won't have pain because the vocal folds themselves don't have pain receptors. How long were you intubated?
I usually recommend giving it about a week and if your voice hasn't improved you should go see an ENT. When you are trying to speak, try to talk normally and avoid whispering because whispering actually is harder on your vocal folds and can make the situation worse.
I'm curious .... If you say "eeeee" and hold it out for several seconds and turn your head to the right, then back to midline, take another breath and say "eeeee" again and turn it to the left, do you notice a change in the sound of your voice? Is it stronger or softer going one way vs the other? Does it stay the same?
Hmm, okay, that could be a good thing that you don't notice any significant changes with turning your head in either direction. Since I obviously cannot evaluate you, I can only conjecture at what is happening with you right now. Most likely you have edema (swelling) of your vocal folds from the irritation of the endotracheal tube. You typically see that with people who have prolonged intubations, but it can happen sometimes with short intubations, too. Have you noticed that you clear your throat a lot or feel that you have something stuck or tickling your throat? Do you have a history of reflux?
If you don't notice improvement over the next few days (approximately a week from your surgery date), I would definitely go see an ENT so they can take a look at your larynx and vocal folds to see what is going on and how they want to treat them.
Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
I've been living with my damaged voice since 2008, and I was transferred to a second hospital who, IMMEDIATELY removed the tube and told my family it had been totally unnecessary, which makes it that much more upsetting. I never thought I could do anything about it, I used to LOVE to sing. Today, the first thing I read on your site was to try singing eeee to the front, then turn your head to each side. I was SO SHOCKED! I turned to the left, my voice was fine, I turned to the right, it sounded like GRAVEL!! Does this mean my right vocal is damaged, and can it be repaired? Are ther things that I can do at home to help? I can't thank you enough, I've looked on line before and never seen this addressed. I feel like perhaps there's a light at the end of the tunnel. (I almost want to sing, but only on my left side!) Thanking you in advance for ANY help you can give, Linda Nolan?ð?'-??
It took me 5 days to sound right, though my throat hurt terribly and it turned out I had a throat infection post-op from some 'difficulties' from the intubation.
Go with the Kathleen Turner voice for a while. ;)
HW333--SW 289--GW of 160 5' 11" woman. I only know the way I know & when you ask for input/advice, you'll get the way I've been successful through my surgeon & nutritionist. Please consult your surgeon & nutritionist for how to do it their way. Biggest regret? Not doing this 10 years ago! Every day is better than the day before...and it was a pretty great day!
I think it took about 4 days before my voice was back. I suggest keeping an eye on what the back of your throat and uvula look like - I ended up with an infection in my uvula and soft palette starting at day three and treated at day 6. My PCP told me that throat trauma is very common after intubation, and trauma leaves you open to infection.
Good luck!
