5 Types Of Voice Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, And Diagnosis

Ever feel like your voice isn’t quite right? Maybe it’s scratchy or croaky instead of your usual tone.

These issues can be frustrating, making communicating with friends, family, or work hard.

This blog will explore various types of voice disorders, helping you understand what they are and how they can impact you.

Key Takeaways

– Changes in vocal cords or surrounding parts, often from health issues like nodules, polyps, or cysts.

– Nerve problems affecting voice control are seen in conditions like spasmodic dysphonia or vocal cord paralysis.

– Issues with voice function are not linked to physical abnormalities, often related to stress or improper voice use.

– Common in children, affecting voice quality or pitch during growth stages.

– The result is from excessive use or misuse of the voice in professions like teaching or singing.

– Diagnosis often involves a doctor examining the vocal cords using specialized tools.

– Treatment varies from voice therapy and medication depending on the severity of the disorder.

5 Types Of Voice Disorders

Our voices are pretty cool. We use them to talk, but sometimes, our voices don’t work properly. This is called a voice disorder.

Let’s explore the different types of voice disorders.

1. Structural Voice Disorders

Structural voice problems happen when something changes with these vocal cords or the parts around them.

This can make your voice sound different. It can happen from using your voice too much, straining it, or even because of other health problems.

A. Examples Of Structural Voice Disorders

Vocal cords can sometimes develop nodules, polyps, or cysts, which can change how your voice sounds.

– Vocal Cord Nodules: These are calluses caused by overuse, such as yelling or screaming.

– Polyps: These are fluid-filled sacs, often due to chronic irritation or vocal trauma.

– Cysts: Small, fluid-filled sacs that can form from overusing your voice or genetic factors.

B. Symptoms And Effects

If your voice box, including the vocal cords, has issues, it can change your voice. It might sound hoarse, raspy, or difficult to hear.

Talking or swallowing could hurt, and you might feel like you always need to clear your throat.

This can make conversations challenging and may cause you to feel shy around friends or at work.

C. Diagnosis And Treatment

See a doctor who checks ears, noses, and throats (ENT doctor). They will use a special tool (laryngoscope) to look at your vocal cords.

For minor problems, a doctor might suggest voice exercises (therapy) or vocal rest.

For bigger problems, surgery might be needed to fix the vocal cords.

2. Neurogenic Voice Disorders

Neurogenic voice disorders occur when nerve or nervous system issues affect your voice.

Although your brain knows what you want to say, the message doesn’t reach your muscles.

This disconnect causes problems with speaking clearly and maintaining a normal voice.

A. Causes Of Neurogenic Voice Disorders

Now, let’s talk about what causes these issues. They can stem from various factors, such as:

– Brain problems: Some diseases like Parkinson’s or a stroke can mess with the nerves that control your voice box.

– Injuries: If your nerves or brain get hurt in an accident or surgery, it can affect your voice, too.

– Family history (not as common): In some rare cases, these voice issues can run in families.

B. Examples Of Neurogenic Voice Disorders

Here are a couple of examples to give you a clearer picture:

– Spasmodic Dysphonia: Your voice box muscles twitch unexpectedly. They make your voice sound choppy or shaky.

– Vocal Cord Paralysis: Your vocal cords can’t move right because of a nerve problem. This can make your voice weak or breathy.

C. Symptoms And How They Impact Speech

So, what signs should you look out for? Individuals with neurogenic voice disorders may experience:

– Hoarseness: A rough or raspy voice quality is a common symptom.

– Voice Fatigue: Speaking for extended periods may become difficult or tiring.

– Difficulty Controlling Pitch or Volume: Some may struggle to modulate their voice.

These symptoms can impact speech production, making communication challenging in everyday situations.

D. Management Approaches And Diagnosis

If you suspect a voice problem in yourself or someone you know, seeing a doctor is crucial.

The doctor will examine your vocal cords, possibly using tests or images.

A speech therapist can provide exercises to improve voice control. In some instances, medication or surgery might be necessary.

3. Functional Voice Disorders

Functional voice disorder is when the voice box and the muscles around it aren’t working quite right. But there’s no reason why from looking at them.

Instead, these problems often come from how you use your voice, stress, and other mental things.

A. Examples Of Functional Voice Disorders

Two common examples of functional voice disorders are:

– Tight Voice Box Muscles: This happens when the muscles around your voice box get too tense. This makes your voice sound strained or breathy.

– Voice Problems from Stress: Stress and anxiety can affect your voice, even when your vocal cords are healthy. This can result in a hoarse or temporary voice loss.

B. Symptoms And Influencing Factors

The symptoms of functional voice disorders can vary from person to person. But they often include:

– Roughness in the voice

– Difficulty in producing certain sounds or pitches

– Voice fatigue or weakness

– Feeling like there’s something stuck in the throat

Stress, worry, or bad things that happened in the past can make your voice problems worse.

C. Diagnosis And Treatment

A doctor may inquire about how you typically use your voice and inspect your throat to ensure everything looks normal.

They might also explore your feelings to see if they contribute to the issue.

To improve your voice, they may suggest:

– Voice therapy: A specialist can teach techniques for using your voice more effectively and exercises to relax your vocal muscles and enhance voice quality.

– Therapy sessions: Addressing stress or emotional issues with a therapist can be beneficial for voice problems.

– Stress management: Learning relaxation techniques can also improve your voice health.

4. Developmental Voice Disorders

Just like singers can get a raspy voice, kids can also have voice issues. These problems might make it difficult for them to speak or change the sound of their voice.

It often occurs during childhood or teenage years

A. Examples Of Developmental Voice Disorders

Here are a couple of common voice issues kids might have:

– Childhood Dysphonia: Your child’s voice may sound hoarse, breathy, or rough, making it hard for them to speak loudly or for long.

– Puberphonia: During puberty, some kids’ voices become high-pitched and squeaky like they’re stuck in that awkward cracking stage.

B. Diagnosis And Interventions For Pediatric Cases

If you’re worried about your child’s voice, see a doctor. The doctor will check the voice, ask questions, and perform more tests to find the problem.

There are ways to help your child’s voice after a doctor’s visit:

– Fun Voice Games: These exercises help make their voice muscles stronger and better.

– Medicine: Sometimes, medicine can make their throat feel better or help with problems that make talking hard.

– Quick Fix Operation: In rare cases, a very short surgery might be needed to fix something in their voice box.

5. Occupational Voice Disorders

Occupational voice disorder occurs when your job requires excessive or harmful use of your voice.

This affects teachers who speak too much and singers who perform loudly.

Teachers may lose their voice from speaking loudly all day, which can tire them and make it hoarse.

Similarly, singers who use their voices extensively may develop issues like vocal cord bumps or growths.

A. Impact On Career And Quality Of Life

Occupational voice disorders can be a big problem for your job.

They can make it hard to do your work, like a teacher who can’t be heard by their students.

It’s not only work that suffers. These problems can also affect your personal life.

It becomes hard to talk to friends and family or hurting your confidence.

B. Prevention Strategies And Vocal Hygiene Tips

Now, let’s talk about the good stuff – how to prevent these issues and keep your voice in tip-top shape. Here are some simple tips:

– Drink lots of water: This keeps your vocal cords moist, like oiling a machine.

– Talk right: Use your voice properly to avoid straining it.

– Take breaks: Rest your voice, like your body needs rest after exercise.

– Don’t clear your throat: It might feel good but can hurt your voice.

Conclusion

If your voice sounds different, it could be a voice disorder. There are different types of voice disorders.

Reasons could be bumps on your vocal cords, nerve problems, or stress.

No matter the cause, a different voice can make it tough to talk to others.

See a doctor who knows about ears, noses, and throats (ENT) to determine the cause.

They can help you get your voice back on track with talking exercises, medicine, or even a small surgery.

Resources For Further Study

– “Voice Disorders, Fourth Edition” By Christine Sapienza, Bari Hoffman.

– “Voice Disorders in Teachers. A Review” by Regina Helena Garcia Martins.

– “Diagnosis and Treatment of Voice Disorders” edited by John S. Rubin, Robert T. Sataloff, Gwen S. Korovin.