Singer Shekhar Ravjiani of music duo Vishal-Shekhar recently admitted that he lost his voice two years ago and was diagnosed with left vocal cord paralysis. On Instagram, he said he was “devastated” and “pessimistic” by the diagnosis.

He revealed that with proper treatment he was able to get his voice back in two weeks. He spoke over a video call with a specialist in San Diego – Dr. Erin Walsh – who helped him get proper treatment.

What is left vocal cord paralysis?

Left vocal cord paresis occurs when the muscles that help control the vocal cords become damaged or paralyzed for various reasons.

Dr. Swapnil Brajpuria, senior consultant, ENT department, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, said that the vocal cords are two pearl-like white bands of tissue in the center of the voice box, also called the larynx, which come together when we make sounds. If they are then they give voice. Talk about vibration. If the vocal cord stops working then that condition is called vocal cord paralysis.

Dr. Brajpuria said, “Sometimes a viral infection like flu or even COVID-19 can cause this condition, in which the patient is not able to speak because he loses his voice. The quality goes down.”

Other infections can also cause this paralysis, including brain trauma and stroke. If the cause is a viral infection, the person recovers in 6 months.

Sometimes, people who require surgery on the thyroid, throat, or upper chest have an increased risk of vocal cord nerve damage due to the breathing tubes used.

This condition can be diagnosed by endoscopy in which a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the nose and gently moved into the larynx.

Other tests such as MRI, CT scan or PET scan can also help detect vocal cord paralysis.

Treatment of this condition includes speech therapy which helps in recovering the voice. Surgeries such as injection laryngoplasty can help with long-term management.