Your voice may sound perfectly normal when you go to bed, but wake up sounding noticeably deeper or husky the next morning. it is often linked to what happens to your throat and vocal cords overnight While this change can seem surprising. In this edition of ‘Everyday Explained,’ HT Lifestyle spoke to Dr Sumit Kumar Gaur, senior consultant in ENT at Apollo hospital, Bannerghatta road, to understand the reason behind this change.
The most common reasons are reduced hydration, mucus accumulation, and mild swelling or irritation of the vocal folds. They vibrate as air passes through them, producing sound. For the voice to sound clear, these folds need to move freely and vibrate efficiently. During sleep, we go several hours without drinking water, and the throat can become relatively dry. This can affect the flexibility of the vocal folds and make the voice sound rough or deeper than usual. Another important factor is mucus accumulation. This can create a sensation of phlegm in the throat and make the voice sound congested or hoarse. People with allergies , sinusitis, or acid reflux may experience this more frequently. Individuals who sleep with their mouths open, particularly those with nasal congestion or snoring, may experience greater dryness in the throat. In some cases, acid reflux during the night can irritate the vocal folds, especially when a person lies down soon after eating.
Because the vocal cords undergo temporary changes during sleep, dr Gaur highlighted that our voice often sounds deeper, huskier, or slightly hoarse when we wake up.
The vocal cords, also called vocal folds, are two bands of tissue inside the voice box or larynx, according to Dr Gaur. “The nose and sinuses continue producing mucus during sleep , and some of it may drain down the back of the throat through a process called postnasal drip,” said Dr Gaur. Mouth breathing can also contribute to morning voice changes, according to Dr Gaur.
