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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