Laryngitis is swollen inflammation. reddening of the vocal cords resulting in hoarseness The vocal cords are mucous membranes in the larynx. When the vocal cords are swollen, the sound produced by the air passing through the cord is distorted. So hoarse voice Laryngitis usually clears up in 2 to 3 weeks, but over time the illness becomes chronic or long-lasting. Chronic laryngitis may take much longer to go away, depending on the cause.