Vocal functional dysphonia breathy dysphonia. Medical search. Frequent questions

A hoarse voice, also known as dysphonia or hoarseness, is when the voice involuntarily sounds breathy, raspy, or strained, or is softer in volume or lower in pitch. (wikipedia.org)
Hoarseness is often a symptom of problems in the vocal folds of the larynx. (wikipedia.org)
Conversely, functional dysphonia refers to hoarseness resulting from vocal use (i.e. overuse/abuse). (wikipedia.org)
A 26-year-old woman experienced hoarseness and vocal fatigue. (medscape.com)
Generally speaking, dysphonia is known as hoarseness, while aphonia describes the loss of voice. (muysalud.com)
Most common symptoms associated with vocal cord lesions are hoarseness of voice and raspy voice. (sounderic.com)
A possible cause of hoarseness is gastro-esophageal reflux, when stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (esophagus) and irritates the vocal folds. (wrshealth.com)
Hoarseness can also appear in those who have neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or a stroke, or may be a symptom of spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disorder that usually affects only the voice, but sometimes affects breathing. (wrshealth.com)
An often puzzling form of hoarseness is "functional" dysponia. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
As opposed to common neurologic causes of hoarseness like vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia, functional dysphonia has the ability to come and go. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a neurologic condition of vocal cord movement control in the brain, which leads to involuntary spasms of the vocal cords either together or apart during voicing. (dysphonia.org)
Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms or contractions of the vocal cords, interrupting speech and affecting the quality of a person's voice. (drmaddox.net)

Studies suggest that dysphonia is a partial loss of the voice that manifests itself in a weak, hoarse, raspy or breathy voice. (muysalud.com)
When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained, or show changes in volume or pitch (depending on how high or low the voice is). (wrshealth.com)

Anything growing on or in a vocal fold or anything that alters their straight edges will interfere with the sound of the voice, so that it will be perceived as hoarse/husky. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)

Note that the vocal cords do move. (fauquierent.net)
however, the vocal cords come together when they should move apart. (fauquierent.net)
Just as in laryngospasm, the vocal cords come together when inhaling, but incompletely. (fauquierent.net)
Notice how the vocal cords come almost together on inhalation, especially in the beginning with fairly rapid resolution with time. (fauquierent.net)
The noise that sounds like wheezing is actually produced by thin and pliable vocal cords that vibrate with quick inhalation or exhalation when the vocal cords are APART. (fauquierent.net)
In essence what is happening during strong inhalation is increased negative pressure at the vocal cord level due to Bernoulli's principle resulting in the vocal cords being pulled together. (fauquierent.net)
When this happens, the body actively tries to keep the vocal cords apart. (fauquierent.net)
On endoscopy, the fixed lesion was discovered to be a scar band in the back part of the vocal cords (top of picture) preventing the vocal cords from moving apart fully. (fauquierent.net)
For example, if a person were simply told to stop squeezing their vocal cords so hard when speaking, this task would be difficult to wrap one's head around. (dysphonia.org)
The vocal cords are muscular folds located in the upper part of the trachea and surrounded by the laryngeal mucosa. (muysalud.com)
Aphonia and dysphonia are the result of changes in the structure or functioning of the vocal cords , with some differences in the severity of presentation. (muysalud.com)
However, aphonia is usually associated mainly with severe anatomical or neurological disorders that completely block the movement of the vocal cords. (muysalud.com)
In this sense, no sound will be generated as there's no adequate response of the vocal cords to muscle changes and the flow of expelled air. (muysalud.com)
Similarly, it can be the result of decreased or increased muscle tone of the vocal cords due to poor use of the voice. (muysalud.com)
Voice is produced when air passes through the larynx vibrating the vocal cords, which are two folds present in the larynx. (sounderic.com)
The benign lesions of the vocal cords are classified as neoplastic and non neoplastic lesions. (sounderic.com)
Vocal cords are two bands of muscles that are responsible for production of sound as air passes through them. (sounderic.com)
The air causes the vocal cords to vibrate, and the vibrations are then amplified by various structures like the mouth, pharynx, etc. (sounderic.com)
These are symmetrical lesions, that is, they occur in the same location on both vocal cords. (sounderic.com)
Both the vocal cords show diffuse symmetrical swelling. (sounderic.com)
Speaking, singing, screaming, or straining the vocal cords cause them to become irritated and inflamed eventually resulting in afro mentioned lesions. (sounderic.com)
The doctor visualizes your vocal cords by passing a laryngoscope. (sounderic.com)
The healthcare provider will pass a scope through your nose or throat till just above the vocal cords. (sounderic.com)
This is a special instrument that helps in visualizing the movements of vocal cords. (sounderic.com)
It flashes light on the movement of vocal cords. (sounderic.com)
Overview of Laryngeal Disorders The larynx contains the vocal cords and serves as the opening to the tracheobronchial tree. (msdmanuals.com)
Changes in the tongue, upper throat (pharynx), vocal cords and voice box (larynx), and lower throat (esophagus) occur with aging. (drmaddox.net)
Aspiration is a medical term for accidentally inhaling your food or liquid through your vocal cords into your airway, instead of swallowing through your food pipe, or esophagus, and into your stomach. (drmaddox.net)
People have one set of two vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, that work together in your voice box to produce sound. (drmaddox.net)
The vocal folds (traditionally known as the vocal cords) are two folds of tissue protruding from the side walls of the airway. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
Phonotrauma (overuse of the vocal cords) leads to mechanical stress and occasionally results in callouses (nodules) or larger growths (polyps). (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
Typical physical findings include white, cheesy exudates on the vocal cords. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
In the normal larynx , segmental vibration occurs when both chest and falsetto (head) registers are produced by vibration of the anterior 2/3 of the vocal cords. (laryngopedia.com)
In certain pathological circumstances such as displayed in the photo sequences below, only a small part of the vocal cords vibrates. (laryngopedia.com)
This segmental vibratory phenomenon is typically seen in vocal cords that are damaged-such as by vocal nodules , polyps , cyst, scarring , etc. (laryngopedia.com)
If segmental, there will be a sudden "squawk" as the vocal cords try to go (unsuccessfully) from segmental to full-length vibration. (laryngopedia.com)

A weak, breathy voice. (pulsetoday.co.uk)
The paresis results in weak glottic closure, which prevents normal vocal fold vibration. (vocapedia.info)
Air escapes audibly, giving a weak and breathy quality to the voice. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
A paralyzed vocal fold may be the cause of a weak, breathy voice. (wrshealth.com)

The distinction between these broad classes stems from their cause, whereby organic dysphonia results from some sort of physiological change in one of the subsystems of speech (for voice, usually respiration, laryngeal anatomy, and/or other parts of the vocal tract are affected). (wikipedia.org)
Factors that influence either the aerodynamic configuration (ie, vocal fold paralysis) or the vibratory property of the glottis (ie, laryngeal cyst) may result in dysphonia. (medscape.com)
Laryngeal stroboscopy demonstrates bilateral excrescences on the glottic edges, most likely as a result of vocal abuse and misuse. (medscape.com)
Vocal Massage (sometimes called Laryngeal Therapy, Vocal Manual Therapy, or Laryngeal Manipulation) is a unique manual therapy treatment to help restore and improve performance of the voice. (wholesomehands.co.uk)
Notice how the breathy, strained quality sounds similar to nodules or some other lesion of the vocal folds, reminding us that it is imperative to have a laryngeal examination before trying to treat, or work with, a voice that is obviously disorderd. (vocapedia.info)
Removal restores the voice, the functional integrity of the laryngeal sphincter, and the airway. (msdmanuals.com)

It is clear that the nodules prevent vocal fold vibration at a higher pitch. (vocapedia.info)
Notice how the breathy, strained quality sounds similar to nodules or some other lesion of the vocal folds, especially with the loss of higher pitches. (vocapedia.info)
Non neoplastic lesions comprise vocal nodules, vocal polyps, and cysts. (sounderic.com)
The location is similar to vocal nodules, that is, the point of maximum vibration. (sounderic.com)
Vocal nodules (singers' nodes) are callus-like growths of the vocal folds. (wrshealth.com)
Vocal nodules, polyps, and cysts are typically treated with a combination of microsurgery and voice therapy. (wrshealth.com)

Perceptually the voice will be heard as rough and breathy in quality. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
Individuals with Parkinson's disease often exhibit motor speech symptoms that are characterized perceptually by decreased vocal intensity (hypophonia), articulatory imprecision, diminished prosodic modulation (monotone), and a sometimes breathy or harsh voice quality. (voiceaerobicsdvd.com)

in contrast, structural dysphonia is defined as impaired functioning of the vocal mechanism that is caused by some sort of physical change (e.g. a lesion on the vocal folds). (wikipedia.org)
An Italian study found that approximately 90% of children with dysphonia from a vocal fold lesion had an underlying functional dysphonia. (medscape.com)
This short audio clip is of a high school aged female singer with a vascular (blood filled) lesion of the right vocal fold. (vocapedia.info)
In this photo, some might characterize the left vocal fold lesion (left side of the photo) as a large nodule, while the right sided vocal fold lesion might be considered a small polyp. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

A 66-year-old patient experienced a right vocal cord paralysis after undergoing carotid endarterectomy. (medscape.com)
This video is one of four in a series showing the larynx of an adult female with a left vocal fold paresis (incomplete paralysis). (vocapedia.info)
However, the breathiness is not as severe or apparent as it is in the breathy/paralysis clip. (vocapedia.info)

Laryngoscopy and stroboscopic analysis demonstrated severe anteroposterior and mediolateral compression of the supraglottic musculature with phonation produced by the false vocal folds. (medscape.com)
The term dysphonia describes a qualitative or quantitative phonation disorder characterized by a difficulty in producing sounds when speaking. (muysalud.com)

Click here to read more about laryngospasm and other forms of vocal cord dysfunction . (fauquierent.net)
This video shows a patient with vocal cord dysfunction induced by exercise. (fauquierent.net)
Vocal cord dysfunction is a less severe form of laryngospasm as shown in the previous example. (fauquierent.net)
However, if the negative pressure is strong enough, the vocal cord membranes will start to vibrate and cause 'noise,' just like a flag makes more noise the stronger a wind blows. (fauquierent.net)
This is due to extra vocal work that is required to try to make stable voice in a setting where vocal cord movements are happening involuntarily from the SD. (dysphonia.org)
Most lesions form due to various types of vocal cord lesions. (sounderic.com)
This blog is focused on benign vocal cord lesions. (sounderic.com)
The name Reinke's edema is because there is edema in Reinke's space, it is a space between the mucosa layer covering the vocal cord and the ligament forming the vocal cord. (sounderic.com)
These are another form of vocal cord lesions that are relatively less common. (sounderic.com)
Vocal cord cysts often form when a gland in the vocal cord gets blocked and there is collection of debris and secretions of the gland. (sounderic.com)
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used in vocal cord augmentation. (biomedcentral.com)
Occasionally the exudate can mimic vocal cord keratosis with dysplasia or cancer. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
Now the large polyp left vocal cord (right of photo) is easily seen. (laryngopedia.com)
Open phase of vibration, shows that the entire length of the vocal cord margin participates in vibration at this pitch. (laryngopedia.com)
The vocal cord swellings do not vibrate, nor does the posterior vocal cord. (laryngopedia.com)

The assessment and diagnosis of dysphonia is done by a multidisciplinary team, and involves the use of a variety of subjective and objective measures, which look at both the quality of the voice as well as the physical state of the larynx. (wikipedia.org)
This video shows a larynx with a hemorrhagic (blood filled, aka vascular) polyp on the right vocal fold. (vocapedia.info)
The vocal folds and the cartilages that protect them are known as the larynx. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
Voice changes are related to disorders in the sound-producing parts (vocal folds) of the voice box (larynx). (wrshealth.com)
Functional refers to the fact that anatomically and physiologically, the larynx is working properly. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

While the causes of dysphonia can be divided into five basic categories, all of them result in an interruption of the ability of the vocal folds to vibrate normally during exhalation, which affects the voice. (wikipedia.org)
This series of videos provides a good demonstration of the concept of entrainment, in which the vocal folds become "entrained" in the airstream to vibrate, as long as they are close enough together, and have similar underlying muscle tone. (vocapedia.info)
The stroboscopy makes it clear that entrainment is often not achieved, leaving the vocal folds to vibrate separately, often at different frequencies. (vocapedia.info)
When the pitch is high enough, and there is enough longitudinal tension along the left vocal fold, the right vocal fold can vibrate against it with adequate regularity to a achieve a stable frequency, although the glottic closure is insufficient for much volume. (vocapedia.info)
The vocal fold is also irregular, swollen and stiff, and therefore does not vibrate well. (vocapedia.info)

For example, Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) has been found to be a result of many different causes including the following: MTD in the presence of an organic pathology (i.e. organic type), MTD stemming from vocal use (i.e. functional type), and MTD as a result of personality and/or psychological factors (i.e. psychogenic type). (wikipedia.org)
[ 4 ] As a result, the term muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) has become the preferred term for functional dysphonia. (medscape.com)
Following 8 sessions of voice therapy that focused on the reduction of supraglottic muscle tension, the patient now demonstrates improved glottic closure in the absence of false vocal fold adduction. (medscape.com)
Case study 4: Muscle tension dysphonia. (medscape.com)
Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a condition of extra vocal work and strain. (dysphonia.org)
Muscle Tension Dysphonia is considered a functional condition rather than a neurological one. (dysphonia.org)
It is thought that a person attempts to compensate for the vocal changes, using excessive muscle tension or recruiting the use of muscles not ordinarily active. (dysphonia.org)
It is important to note, however, that the extra muscle tension dysphonia that commonly occurs on top of the abnormal movements of SD can be improved with voice therapy after botulinum toxin injection. (dysphonia.org)
Not surprisingly, many people with SD may also have elements of muscle tension dysphonia on top of their SD symptoms. (dysphonia.org)
Muscle Tension Dysphonia - a change in the sound or feel of your voice due to excessive or extra vocal work and strain. (wholesomehands.co.uk)

Dysphonia is a common symptom in a wide variety of diseases. (muysalud.com)

For voice to be classified as "dysphonic", abnormalities must be present in one or more vocal parameters: pitch, loudness, quality, or variability. (wikipedia.org)
After an intensive 2-month voice therapy program, habitual pitch was reduced to 220 Hz and voice was functional. (medscape.com)
The vocal pitch will lower because the folds are thicker and the increased stiffness causes irregular and inconsistent vocal vibrations. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
Irregular areas of stiffness along the edges of the vocal folds may also interfere with the pitch, causing sudden breaks into falsetto or two different pitches to be heard at the same time (diplophonia). (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
Swelling or lumps on the vocal folds hinder vibration, altering voice quality, volume, and pitch. (wrshealth.com)

However, when vocal quality deteriorates in the absence of anatomic and neurologic factors, a functional voice disorder should be suspected. (medscape.com)

Vocal polyps are soft, smooth, and pedunculated growth. (sounderic.com)
Vocal fold polyps and cysts also occur in those who misuse their voice, but can also occur in those who do not. (wrshealth.com)

The affected vocal fold is no longer able to shorten and thicken effectively in order to produce the low notes we need for our speaking voices, and characteristic breaks into falsetto and diplophonia (described above) will be heard. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)

The most common cause is acute laryngitis-swelling of the vocal folds that occurs during a common cold, upper respiratory tract viral infection, or from voice strain. (wrshealth.com)
Vocal fold hemorrhage occurs when one of the blood vessels on the surface of the vocal folds ruptures and the soft tissues fill with blood. (wrshealth.com)
Underlying rednesss and inflammation of the vocal tissue often occurs. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

Functional dysphonia tends to occur after a respiratory infection, when acute laryngitis may lead to vocal fold swelling and inflammation. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
Fungus is not a normal finding on the vocal folds but can occur in a number of settings. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

Notably, an additional subcategory of functional dysphonia recognized by professionals is psychogenic dysphonia, which can be defined as a type of voice disorder that has no known cause and can be presumed to be a product of some sort of psychological stressors in one's environment. (wikipedia.org)
Vocal characteristics were suggestive of severe hyperfunctioning of the supraglottic and glottic musculature secondary to psychogenic factors. (medscape.com)

Voice disorders such as aphonia and dysphonia are very similar to each other, so they tend to be confused very often. (muysalud.com)
Aphonia and dysphonia are related conditions that are medically different in a wide variety of ways. (muysalud.com)
While dysphonia is a partial problem to emit verbal language, aphonia is related to the total inability to speak. (muysalud.com)
In most cases, aphonia and dysphonia are benign disorders associated with inadequate coordination of the elements that participate in the production of the voice. (muysalud.com)
Some local inflammatory problems, among other conditions, could explain the symptoms of aphonia and dysphonia. (muysalud.com)

Note that the left vocal fold does move slightly, but is very limited compared to the right. (vocapedia.info)
Because of the irregularity of the vibratory margin of the vocal fold, the glottis does not close completely. (vocapedia.info)
In fact, however, the vocal fold is badly damaged. (vocapedia.info)
This audio clip is of a music teacher with scarring of the vocal fold, residual to surgical removal of a vocal fold polyp without adequate post-operative care instructions. (vocapedia.info)
Swelling associated with inflammation and laryngitis makes the vocal fold thicker, heavier and stiffer. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
If you experience a sudden loss of voice following a yell or other strenuous vocal use, you may have developed a vocal fold hemorrhage. (wrshealth.com)
In this case, I doubt either of these vocal fold lesions would regress with voice rest or voice therapy. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)
Additional contributing factors include vocal fold inflammation from acid reflux, sinus inflammation, cough, or vocal abuse. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

Functional dysphonias may be treated through direct and indirect voice therapies, whereas surgeries are recommended for chronic, organic dysphonias. (wikipedia.org)
Voice disorders can be divided into 2 broad categories: organic and functional. (wikipedia.org)
Functional voice disorders may account for up to 40% of the cases of dysphonia referred to a multidisciplinary voice clinic. (medscape.com)
Following these events, the patient was diagnosed with a dysphonia and a conversion voice disorder. (medscape.com)
Most of the time, it is due to extra effort that one puts into voice to try to work around another vocal problem. (dysphonia.org)
Voice therapy is not something that can be done from a printed instruction sheet because improving vocal efficiency is not obvious. (dysphonia.org)
If you are putting your voice through stress on a regular basis, vocal massage is vital to ensure you can continue performing at your best and to help prevent any serious conditions from arising in the future. (wholesomehands.co.uk)
Vocal Massage aims to support optimum vocal health, including voice function and the vocal rehabilitation process. (wholesomehands.co.uk)
Breathy voice. (sounderic.com)
The voice may sound broken, strained, or breathy depending on the type of SD. (drmaddox.net)
Serious injury to the vocal folds can result from strenuous voice use during an episode of acute laryngitis. (wrshealth.com)
It is considered a vocal emergency and should be treated with absolute voice rest and examination by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor). (wrshealth.com)

Breathlessness or ongoing cough will aggravate dysphonia and may be the underlying cause, so management of these symptoms is vital. (pulsetoday.co.uk)

RESULTS: His thesis reported 5 patients from Eastern Europe, presenting with functional neurological disorders following traumatic life experiences. (bvsalud.org)

The polyp results in incomplete closure of the glottis, and irregular vibration of the vocal folds. (vocapedia.info)

Vocal fatigue or strain. (pulsetoday.co.uk)
Vocal fatigue. (sounderic.com)

During breathing the vocal folds remain apart, leaving an open "V" shaped airway to the lungs. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)
While breathing, the vocal folds remain apart. (wrshealth.com)

Some patients with long Covid experience ongoing throat sensitivity, globus, altered sense of taste and smell and dry mouth.4 These symptoms should resolve as they recover and can be helped using the vocal hygiene techniques. (pulsetoday.co.uk)
Above the vocal folds the airway opens out into the pharynx (back of the throat), mouth and nose. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)

Steam inhalation - for lubrication of the vocal tract. (pulsetoday.co.uk)

The vocal folds must be of proper compliance to exhibit their dynamic vibratory characteristics. (medscape.com)

Both types of growth result from vocal overuse. (newportvoiceandswallow.com)

Dysphonia can be categorized into two broad main types: organic and functional, and classification is based on the underlying pathology. (wikipedia.org)
citation needed] Multiple treatments have been developed to address organic and functional causes of dysphonia. (wikipedia.org)

Common irritants include upper respiratory infection, second-hand smoke, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), significant vocal demands, or even stressful life events. (dysphonia.org)

Following therapy, her vocal quality improved markedly. (medscape.com)
Human Beings are extremely good at recognizing the emotional content of speech from these changes in vocal quality. (britishvoiceassociation.org.uk)

Note the early contact at the bilateral swellings (right greater than left), and the MTD posturing (separation of vocal process "grey" zone posteriorly). (laryngopedia.com)

It involves putting extra effort into a vocal task that perhaps is not necessary or required to make sound. (dysphonia.org)

Anatomy7

Diseases12

Chemicals and Drugs3

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment6

Psychiatry and Psychology2

Phenomena and Processes4

Disciplines and Occupations1

Hoarseness10

Spasmodic Dysphonia2

Raspy2

Hoarse1

Cords36

Weak4

Laryngeal6

Nodules6

Perceptually2

Lesion4

Paralysis3

Phonation2

Cord15

Larynx5

Vibrate5

Muscle tension10

Symptom1

Pitch5

Neurologic1

Polyps2

Affected vocal fold1

Occurs3

Occur2

Psychogenic2

Aphonia5

Fold8

Voice12

Cough1

Disorders1

Vibration1

Fatigue2

Folds remain apart2

Throat2

Tract1

Vibratory1

Overuse1

Organic2

Respiratory infection1

Quality2

Posteriorly1

Involves1