Dear April:
Because the vocal folds have few pain nerve sensors it is possible to have substantial swelling of the folds with little or no sense of pain, especially if the back of the pharynx is not swollen (wherein a great number of pain nerve sensors do exist).
Your description of phonation difficulties are classic examples of the results of swollen vocal folds. Because the /i/ vowel tends to make adduction of the vocal more easily complete as well as raising eppiglottis it is easier to phonate on the /i/ vowel when the vocal folds are swollen. The /a/ vowel makes adduction a bit less automatic and the vocal fold swelling will be more obvious.
Swollen vocal folds do not oscillate as easily or as efficiently, consequently more energy and concentration is needed to make them phonate. Even though no pain is experienced the difficulty of phonation is a strong signal that one must not use the voice when it is in the condition. With proper rest and physical care it will return to normal surprisingly quickly.
-- Lloyd W. Hanson
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