Protect your child's voice from developing throat nodules

1. Protect your child's voice from developing throat nodules Many children abuse their voices and, as a result, they will actually develop serious problems with their throat. Children have been known to yell, scream, cry, make loud sounds like a motor or an animal, and make other harsh sounds. Some children are also exposed to harmful chemicals like cigarette smoke. There are also children that do not make the right use of the muscles in their necks and, as a result, tense their vocal cords. This can cause inadequate breath support limiting air supply which, in turn, strengthens their lungs as they grow. Vocal abuse can also be seen in older children/teens/young adults, such as cheerleaders, yelling inspectors at a sporting event or just anyone in a family that shouts a lot. Not only children, even the grown-ups can also feel a bit of laryngitis after screaming, singing loudly at a concert or a day of overusing their voice. However, the one-time abuse generally does not have a long time effect. Vocal abuse, also known as ‘vocal misuse’, can cause a number of serious problems to the vocal cord and throat which can include vocal fold inflammation, vocal or throat nodules, vocal polyps, etc. A raspy or harsh voice of a child may be the symbol of something more serious. Vocal nodules are among the most common problems that generally develop. These nodules are non-cancerous calluses that form on the soft tissue of your vocal folds. In this condition, you can sound harsh or raspy as the vocal folds do not easily close due to the mass (callus) on them. Due to this factor, people make more effort to clear their throat, which adds to the problem. The diagnosis of vocal nodules is generally made by an ENT or an otolaryngologist. Although, it is possible to remove the nodules with surgery, but it shouldn't be the first plan to attack as it removes only the nodules, not the behaviors of the individual who had acquired the nodule in the first place. If behaviors are not changed, then the nodules can (most of the time, will) return. Voice therapy with a vocal/voice specialist is usually the first recommended treatment for the nodules in your throat. Adding a vocal abuse reduction plan with this therapy, you or the child will learn new breathing patterns, good vocal hygiene, and an easy onset of speech. Most conditions that result from vocal abuse are reversible in children. Without proper care and treatment, children can easily become an adult with the nodules. Since, it is easy for the children to change their speaking patterns, as they are still developing their speech patterns, it is best to address this issue when the problem starts. It is also recommended that you try to keep your child(s) vocal abuse behaviors as controlled as possible. Young children also make use of their voice in different ways during play and that should not be discouraged completely. They just need an adult’s reminders and directions to keep it under control.