“Dysphonia” is the medical term that denotes the inability to produce normal speech. Dysphonia commonly affects voice professionals, such as singers, actors, salespeople, and
teachers, but it can also occur in individuals of any age, including children, teenagers, and adults.
In normal speech, the voice’s quality should be pleasant, the pitch suitable for the person’s age or background. The volume should be appropriate for the communication environment, and
the speaking strength should meet the individual’s professional needs. If one or more of these aspects do not align with the individual’s requirements for an extended period, they may be
experiencing a speech disorder. The voice may manifest as hoarse, rough, monotonous, very high-pitched, or excessively breathy.
Symptoms that may be observed include the following:
- Hoarseness in the throat.
- Continuous throat clearing.
- Persistent, bothersome cough.
- Pain while swallowing.
- Neck pain.
- Sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
- Fatigue during speech.
- Voice changes throughout the day.
The causes can be categorized as follows:
- Organic/Structural: dysplasia – laryngeal cancer, nodules, polyps, Reinke’s edema, cysts on the vocal cords, scar formation on the vocal cords due to voice trauma from poor
voice management. - Neurological voice disorders: spasmodic dysphonia, unilateral or bilateral paralysis of the vocal cords, paralysis of the superior laryngeal nerve.
- Viral and traumatic voice disorders: acute and chronic laryngitis, contact ulcers.
- Functional and idiopathic voice disorders: muscle tone dysphonia, biphonia, glottic insufficiency.
- Hormonal disorders: menopause, hormonal imbalances.
The assessment of dysphonia patients is conducted collaboratively between the speech therapist and the ENT specialist. Otorhinolaryngological examinations, including video-
stroboscopy and video-endoscopy, are crucial for understanding the root cause of the problem. Through auditory and perceptual analysis, the speech therapist gathers objective evidence and
proceeds with therapeutic intervention.
The therapeutic treatment of dysphonias through phonotherapy is administered by qualified therapists, involving education on vocal hygiene and the training of techniques to reduce and
prevent symptom recurrence. Other intervention methods may include medication and surgical removal.
Some tips to protect your voice:
- Avoid shouting and whispering; maintain a steady, low tone.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking water frequently to moisturize the vocal cords.
- If you cough incessantly, try swallowing, drinking water, or chewing a piece of gum.
- Reduce consumption of caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, cola) as they can dehydrate the vocal cords.
At Speech & Communication, we possess the training and expertise to work in speech therapy with both adults and children. Regarding the latter, we also emphasize counseling, as they
often sustain injuries to their vocal cords due to challenging behavior and poor communication patterns at home.
The content featured on the Speech & Communication website is meant for informational purposes only. It does not constitute personalized treatment recommendations and cannot
replace the expert advice of a qualified therapist tailored to specific cases. In instances where the content is republished from another source, this is explicitly mentioned. The authors of
Speech & Communication assume no responsibility for any outcomes linked in any manner to any published post.
