To produce sound, air rushes from the lungs and forces the vocal cords to vibrate together., To change pitch and loudness, the muscles in your larynx contract and relax to raise or drop the tone of your voice. If the vocal cords are stretched thin, the pitch will be higher and if the vocal cords are loosened, the pitch will be lower. Sometimes an interruption in the air creates vibrations in the vocal cords which causes the voice to crack. There can be many reasons for voice crack and puberty being one. Here are four causes that can lead to voice cracking other than puberty.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be one of the reasons you have a cracking voice while you talk. The vocal folds are membraneous tissues and need hydration to work properly. If you are dehydrated, your vocal folds do not work as smoothly as they should and may show unruly change during speech. Dehydration does not only cause by not drinking enough water but also by sweating and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol.
Vocal Cord Lesions
When you speak, sing, or yell for a long period of time, you can irritate your vocal folds and possibly damage this membranous tissue, resulting in lesions. As a result, the vocal tissues get stiffened when these lesions heal, creating calloused patches called nodules. Besides this, acid reflux, allergies, and sinus infections can also create lesions in your vocal cords. Nodules can influence the flexibility and size of your vocal folds. This might result in crackles as your vocal folds struggle to produce regular sounds.
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Laryngitis
Your voice quality is also affected by inflammation in your vocal folds, called laryngitis. This is primarily caused by a viral infection. However, it can also occur if you use your voice excessively. When the issue is due to viral infection or overuse of the voice, the condition subsides soon. But when it is due to other causes like air pollution or smoking, it leads to serious damage to your vocal folds and larynx, causing chronic laryngitis.
Strain And Tension
When you are worried, nervous, or tensed, you may have a tight voice that cracks. Tension in the muscles around the voice box is one cause of this. Another explanation is that when you are tense, you do not breathe properly, which can lead to pauses in your voice. This can also happen if your voice is tired, if you’re unwell, or if you’re agitated. When you sob, it is typical to have a squeaky voice because the muscles around the voice box are constricted and you are not breathing properly.
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Conclusion
You do not need to worry if your voice cracking is due to puberty. But if it is due to any underlying conditions, care must be taken to eliminate the causes. Visit your doctor and get the exact cause of your voice cracking condition diagnosed. Meanwhile, take preventive measures like drinking plenty of water, avoiding smoking and alcohol, reducing stress and anxiety, and doing breathing exercises.
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