Voice disorders are impairments in pitch, loudness, or vocal quality that interfere with communication or draw undue attention. These disorders can be organic (e.g., vocal fold nodules, paralysis) or functional (e.g., muscle tension dysphonia). Functional voice disorders may have psychogenic or behavioral origins.
Organic voice disorders stem from structural or neurological issues. Functional types include misuse-related conditions and conversion disorders like aphonia. Hypofunctional voices sound weak or breathy; hyperfunctional voices sound strained or tight.
Voice disorders affect personal identity and occupational functioning. SLPs assess voice through perceptual, acoustic, and laryngeal examination. Persistent dysphonia warrants ENT evaluation to rule out pathology.
Treatment includes behavioral voice therapy, vocal hygiene education, and sometimes medical or surgical intervention. Techniques vary by cause—e.g., resonant voice therapy for hyperfunction, LSVT for hypofunction. Interdisciplinary collaboration with ENTs is essential.
Roy, Nelson, et al. “Voice Disorders in the General Population: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Occupational Impact.” The Laryngoscope 115, no. 11 (2005).
Naqvi, Yasmin, and Vikas Gupta. “Functional Voice Disorders.” In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing, updated 2023.
Stemple, Joseph C., Edie R. Hapner, and Bernard H. Rousseau. Clinical Voice Pathology: Theory and Management. 6th ed. Plural Publishing, 2020.
