Dysphonia is any voice disorder that impacts vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort. Voice disorders have many causes, including functional causes (yelling, excessive throat clearing, inefficient voice use), structural abnormalities (vocal nodules, cysts, polyps, inflammation, laryngeal trauma), neurologic diagnoses (Parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, spasmodic dysphonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis), or other causes (chronic stress, conversion disorders). An individual with dysphonia might experience:

• rough/breathy/strained/strangled voice quality

• abnormal pitch (too high, too low, pitch breaks, decreased range)

• abnormal loudness (too high, too low, decreased range)

• abnormal resonance (hypernasal, hyponasal, cul-de-sac resonance)

• weak voice

• vocal tremors

• running out of breath

• limited vocal endurance (voice tires quickly)

• pain or tightness with voice use