Can vocal cord damage be healed? (2023)

Is it possible to repair damaged vocal cords?

Replacing the damaged nerve (reinnervation).

In this surgery, a healthy nerve is moved from a different area of the neck to replace the damaged vocal cord. It can take as long as 6 to 9 months before your voice gets better. Some health care providers combine this surgery with a bulk injection.

It happens when the nerve impulses to your voice box (larynx) are disrupted. This results in paralysis of the vocal cord muscles. Vocal cord paralysis can make it hard to speak and even breathe. That's because your vocal cords, also called vocal folds, do more than just produce sound.

Losing our voice isn't an exception. Websites abound with proposed solutions including ginger, lemon, salt water gargles, and tea with honey. However, put simply, there's no evidence these home remedies work to recover a lost voice.

Cells from amniotic membrane show potential of repairing vocal cord injuries that don't respond to standard care, Mayo Clinic discovered in preclinical research. The placental membrane provides a rich source of epithelial cells that could regenerate damaged tissue.

Generally speaking, voice damage will include the onset of severe voice fatigue, reduction in range, inability to maintain pitch as well as a husky, rough or raspy sound that cannot be intentionally controlled or removed by the voice user.

Symptoms may include a raspy, hoarse, low, or breathy voice, or trouble swallowing or coughing. Any hoarseness or change in voice that lasts longer than 2 weeks should be brought to the attention of your healthcare provider. Vocal cord disorders caused by abuse or misuse are easily preventable.

Inflammation of the voice box

When your vocal cords are swollen or inflamed, your voice becomes distorted and may sound hoarse, raspy, or become too quiet to hear. Laryngitis typically heals on its own and lasts less than 3 or 4 weeks. However, it can sometimes become chronic (long-lasting).

Acute laryngitis often gets better on its own within a week or so. Self-care measures, such as voice rest, drinking fluids and humidifying your air, also can help improve symptoms. Chronic laryngitis treatments are aimed at treating the underlying causes, such as heartburn, smoking or excessive use of alcohol.