1. Rest Your Voice
The reason you sound hoarse is usually because of swelling or lumps on your vocal cords, which can be caused by many conditions. The swelling or lumps change the way your vocal cords fit together, making your voice sound squeaky or airy.
If you've got that raspy hoarseness in your vocal cords from overuse, the best thing you can do is just rest your voice. For example, if you're a singer, taking a few days off of singing will give your throat a chance to heal. Public speakers who are hoarse from overuse of the voice will find that canceling a few speeches and taking a few throat lozenges are enough to cure the hoarseness.
2. See a Specialist
When hoarseness lasts longer than a few days, see a specialist. An otolaryngologist is a specialist in ear, nose and throat disorders (ENT). An ENT specialist can examine your throat for any disorders such as polyps or cancers that may be making you hoarse. The cause of the hoarseness usually determines how your doctor treats it. Most of the time, hoarseness is just caused by a viral infection such as a cold or from vocal cord misuse. However, you could also have any number of conditions that affect your voice such as gastrointestinal reflux, allergies, injuries to the voice box or even a neurological disorder.
The ENT specialist will be able to diagnose you and determine treatment. That may involve resting your voice, medication or sometimes even surgery.
3. Form Another Group of Specialists
As part of a team with your other doctors, any speech or voice coaches you use will be able to help you change bad behavior that makes you hoarse. For example, your team might help you to quit smoking or point out that you are yelling or screaming too often, causing a voice problem. If you're a singer or speaker, your voice coach could also provide exercises to strengthen your vocal cords or teach you to sing or speak properly so you don't strain them.
4. Humidify Your Home
Run a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to your home. There are many types on the market that run cool or warm mists of water. You can find these in pharmacies and department stores. Sitting in a steamy bathroom with a hot shower running has the same effect. Keep the moisture up until your vocal cords feel better, which should be in a matter of days for mild hoarseness.
5. Hydrate Your Body
Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and your body hydrated. Suck on hard candy and cough drops. Most people find that drinking lots of hot tea and soup eases their symptoms and treats hoarseness. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are said to dehydrate you.
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