Voice Disorders

Voice Disorders 




Voice disorders affect your ability to speak clearly. They’re usually the result of overusing your voice or issues with your voice box or vocal cords. Most people can overcome voice disorders with voice therapy, though some will need medical or surgical treatment.


What Are Voice Disorders?

Voice disorders impact the ability to communicate effectively by altering the quality, pitch, or volume of one’s voice. Such disorders can hinder interpersonal communication and self-expression, significantly affecting the overall quality of life.


How Does Your Voice Operate?

The process involves the movement of air through the lungs, up the trachea, and through the larynx. The vocal cords, located on either side of the larynx, vibrate as air passes through, generating the sound of one’s voice. This mechanism is akin to whistling, where the vibration of vocal cords is analogous to the vibration of lips when air is forced through them, producing a high-pitched sound.


What Are the Classifications?

Voice disorders typically fall into three categories, with potential overlap:

  • Functional: Occurs when the vocal structures are normal, but difficulties arise in their utilization. Usually stems from challenges in controlling the vocal cord muscles.
  • Organic: Arises from structural issues in the voice box, vocal cords, or lungs. These problems can be either structural (such as abnormal growths on the larynx) or neurological (impacting the nerves controlling the larynx).
  • Psychogenic: Infrequent, these disorders result from emotional stress or trauma, often linked to conditions like anxiety, depression, or conversion disorder.


What Are the Various Types of Voice Disorders?

Several common voice disorders include:

  • Hoarseness
  • Laryngitis
  • Muscle tension dysphonia
  • Spasmodic dysphonia
  • Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD)
  • Vocal cord lesions
  • Vocal cord paralysis


Who Is Susceptible to Voice Disorders?

While anyone can develop a voice disorder, certain factors increase the risk, including:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Lifestyle choices (such as smoking or excessive alcohol use)
  • Occupation (especially for those requiring extensive voice use)
  • The presence of other diseases like Parkinson’s or laryngeal cancer


How Prevalent Are Voice Disorders?

Between 3% and 9% of the U.S. population experiences a voice disorder at some point, with less than 1% seeking treatment. Teachers are particularly vulnerable, with approximately 57% experiencing a voice disorder according to one study.


Symptoms and Causes

What Leads to Voice Disorders?

The most common cause is overusing the voice through activities like yelling, singing, or excessive talking. Short-term voice disorders can result from acute illnesses like colds or allergies, while more complex disorders arise from structural, muscular, or nervous issues in the voice box or vocal cords.

What Are the Symptoms of Voice Disorders?

Symptoms vary widely but can manifest as:

  • A gurgly or wet sound
  • Roughness
  • Strain
  • Hoarseness
  • Breathiness
  • Abnormal pitch or volume
  • Unevenness with breaks or gaps in sound


Diagnosis and Tests

How Are Voice Disorders Diagnosed?

Primary healthcare providers or specialists may diagnose voice disorders through:

  • Physical examinations
  • Evaluations of symptoms and medical history
  • Imaging tests like laryngoscopy with biopsy


Management and Treatment

How Are Voice Disorders Treated?

  • Resting the voice: Recommended for short-term disorders.
  • Voice therapy: Techniques such as the accent method, auditory masking, or conversation training therapy.
  • Medical or surgical interventions: Such as botulin toxin injections, may be necessary for certain conditions.


Prevention

Can Voice Disorders Be Prevented?

While some voice disorders are unavoidable, risk can be reduced by:

  • Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol or drug use
  • Staying hydrated
  • Resting the voice, especially for vocally demanding professions


Outlook / Prognosis

What Is the Prognosis for People With Voice Disorders?

Temporary voice disorders due to overuse or acute illnesses usually don’t cause permanent damage. With appropriate treatment, most individuals with more complex voice disorders can overcome challenges.


Living With

What Questions Should Be Asked of Healthcare Providers?

Patients may inquire about:

  • Lifestyle changes to enhance voice health
  • The potential progression of a voice disorder
  • The expected duration of treatment


Sources

  • Mayo Clinic
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  • Cleveland Clinic

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