What is a Voice Disorder?

Voice is produced when air from the lungs passes through the vocal folds (vocal cords) in the larynx (voice box) causing the vocal folds to vibrate. This vibration produces a sound that is then modified and shaped by the vocal tract (throat, mouth and nasal passages). A voice problem or disorder can be caused by a problem in any part, or combination of parts, of this system. For more information on how the voice works, see this tutorial on the University of Minnesota Lions Voice Clinic's website.

Symptoms of a voice disorder can include:

• hoarseness
• roughness
• breathiness
• strained voice
• weak voice
• vocal fatigue
• throat pain when speaking

The causes of these symptoms are many and can include:

• vocal nodules, polyps and cysts
• muscle tension
• spasmodic dysphonia
• vocal fold paralysis
• Parkinson's Disease and other neurologic disorders
• laryngeal cancer
• vocal overuse/misuse such as talking loudly in a classroom without amplification, or frequent yelling at sporting events and concerts

Evaluation

A voice evaluation includes taking a detailed history of the problem, collecting acoustic and aerodynamic measures, and looking at vocal fold function using laryngeal videostroboscopy (a scope that goes in the mouth and looks down at the vocal folds). This information allows us to determine what is causing the voice problem and recommend appropriate treatment. It is usually necessary to see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) to determine any medical causes of the voice problem. For more information about voice evaluations, go to the Voice Evaluation page.

Treatment

Voice therapy can be very effective in reducing or eliminating a voice disorder, depending on the cause of the voice disorder. Voice therapy often includes improving vocal hygiene (adequate hydration, reducing misuse/overuse, etc.) as well as direct therapy methods aimed at changing inefficient and/or inappropriate vocal patterns. For example, muscle tension frequently causes a person to use too much effort when speaking. Teaching a person to produce voice without excessive tension can reduce or eliminate vocal fatigue, hoarseness, breathiness, and vocal nodules along with other symptoms. Sometimes concurrent medical treatment is also necessary, or medical care alone may be the most appropriate treatment. For more information about voice therapy, go to the Voice Therapy page.

Associated Faculty

Cara Sauder, PhD, CCC-SLP - Lecturer and Clinical Educator; Voice Unit Coordinator
Emily Wilson, MS, CCC-SLP - Lecturer and Clinical Educator
Tanya Eadie, PhD, CCC-SLP - Professor & Researcher
Albert L Merati, MD - Professor & Chief of Larynogology, UWMC; Adjunct Professor, Speech & Hearing Sciences
Martin Nevdahl, MS, CCC-SLP - Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus

Additional Resources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS)

The Voice Foundation

Northwest Parkinson's Foundation

Parkinson Voice Project

The National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA)