Voice & Swallowing Problems

There are many different signs you may have a voice or swallowing problem. Here are some of the most common symptoms.

Symptoms of a voice problem may include:

  • Trouble with sound of the voice: voice crackles or breaks, voice cannot hit the highs and lows in the voice range, voice tires easily, voice sounds breathy, husky or hoarse.
  • Sensations in the throat: throat tickles, throat is dry, throat burns, throat aches, throat is tight (a feeling of a lump in the throat or a “frog in the throat”), swallowing problems, post-nasal dripping (nose fluids that drip down the throat, causing a sore throat or cough)
  • Pain – dry, irritating cough; choking spells (often at night); ear or jaw pain
  • Other symptoms: difficulty breathing, frequent throat clearing, feeling of fullness in the neck muscles or glands in the throat, coughing up blood

Symptoms of a swallowing problem may include:

  • A feeling of food getting stuck
  • Coughing or choking while eating
  • Gurgling wet voice quality after swallowing food
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Inability to swallow
voice and swallowing problems

If you experience any of these symptoms, a complete diagnostic evaluation should be considered.