Laryngitis is a condition where your voice box, called the larynx, becomes swollen and irritated. The larynx sits in your throat and contains your vocal cords, which vibrate to create sound when you speak or sing. When you have laryngitis, those vocal cords get inflamed and can't vibrate properly, making your voice sound hoarse, raspy, or squeaky. Sometimes your voice might disappear almost entirely, leaving you able to manage only a whisper.

Most often, laryngitis happens when you get a cold or other viral infection, though it can also result from yelling too much at a sporting event or concert. Teachers, coaches, and singers sometimes develop laryngitis from overusing their voices. The condition usually clears up on its own within a week or two with rest, which means talking as little as possible so your vocal cords can heal.