Toddler has strained, husky voice since birth

[sunshineally]

Hello, My two year old has always had a somewhat husky voice but it was barely noticeable. Now its become more apparent. He seems to have a strained husky voice  (he sounds like he really needs to clear his throat) and cant speak very loud and also when he cries in his cot, we cant hear him unless the house is very quiet or we are near his bedroom door. We have taken him to the GP, he wasn't very helpful and just gave us an ENT referral but he waiting list to be seen could take months or even up to a year!!! Its only recently we have noticed he doesn't cry loud. Im almost positive we used to hear him louder than that. It seems the more upset he is, the quieter he sounds like he cant get the sounds out. He's always been a quiet baby, very clingy but quiet, there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong as far as development, he's generally very happy, is understanding words, talking a wide range of words (just one to two words at a time), plays well, hears well. I cant find any information on the net regarding this, don't know whether its normal, a real concern, could grow out of it or needs therapy or what. Am considering going to another doctor. The last doctor didn't seem concerned but then again, he never heard him talk as we were in there for less than 5 minutes, he just checked his temp, ears etc printed out a referral slip and sent us on our way with no explanation or possibilities.

Wondering if anyone knows anything about this????

Cheers

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

It may take some time for the post op inflammation and swelling to settle down. With this his voice should improve. Hope the thyroid status has been checked. Could try voice or speech therapy.  
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[hava]

Keep trying the suggestions in my previous post.
Keep liquorice stick, sugar candy(diamond shape), a quarter of one whole black pepper, on his tongue and let him suck slowly, once a day.
Thank you for updating.
March 3 ,2012

[sunshineally]

Just an update, my son finally had his voice box looked at at hospital under general anaesthetic. He had a benign cyst removed that was on his voice box there were no further cysts or anything beyond his voicebox (checked down to his lungs all was clear) we go back in a couple of weeks to find out exactly what it was. The doc said he should get his voice back within 3 days, its been now about 2 weeks and still no voice. Nothing has changed voice wise, he still cant talk, only whisper, when he does try to make himself heard he cn produce sound but he could do that before the op. Im wondering why his voice hasnt returned yet.
sigh...

[sunshineally]

Hello, Thank you so much for the replies. We ended up taking him back to our original doctor (as we had moved away so tried a new doctor closer to home) Our old doctor was much more helpful, and has reffered us onto another ENT specialist. We have chosen to go private instead of waiting up to a year to get seen on the public health system. Our doc said it was most likely nothing drastic but did say he was the quietest 2 year old he's ever seen! I guess we just have to know wait and see when we go get him checked out. Will update this post when we find out more information. I will try the exercises with him and see if it will make any difference to his voice in the meantime. Once again, thank you for your responses.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. But repeated throat infections can cause hoarseness of the voice. Sometimes hypothyroidism or thyroid disorders can cause hoarseness of the voice. This can be detected by a simple blood test. If it is due to any local lesions in the throat, a complete throat examination is mandatory. Discuss these options with your doctor when you happen to meet him next time.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[hava]

Stimulating the throat and thyroid may help with the voice.Show him what to do by doing yourself.
1. Turn head left,then right,then up and down.
2. Press the fleshy bit on the palm of hand between base of thumb and wrist. Gently fist and then increase the pressure a little, and see if he pulls the hand away.
3. Roar like a lion 3 times. (breathing out through the mouth)
4. Reverse roar 3 times (breathing in through the mouth).
5. Keep some honey on his tongue and let him swallow it gently.
6. Massage the base of his feet, rubbing in all directions.
December 30 ,2011