Preliminary Assessment of Voice Disorders Induced by COVID-19

This study assessed discomfort symptoms in the vocal tract of 49 post-COVID-19 patients (41 females, 8 males; aged 19-82) referred to a speech therapy clinic for voice dysfunction. The aim was to identify dominant symptoms during vocal emission. Conducted in 2020-2021 at the Speech Therapy Clinic in Kielce, participants had no prior phoniatric issues. Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD) evaluated symptom intensity across normative to severe voice changes. COVID-19 voice disorders are transient. Common symptoms included throat/laryngeal pain, tension, dryness, irritation, and obstruction sensation. Three symptom groups emerged: rare (e.g., „lump in throat”), moderate (e.g., „tenderness”), and frequent (Group III: „dryness,” „scratchy throat,” „irritation”). Untreated phonatory/respiratory dysfunctions may worsen. Post-COVID residuals cause functional and paralytic voice issues (hoarseness, fatigue, dryness, voice loss, lump sensation, pain, cough). Speech therapy effectively improves phonation.