Voice Disorder
What is a Voice Disorder?
A Voice Disorder occurs when voice quality, pitch, and loudness differ or are inappropriate for an individual’s age, gender, cultural background, or geographic location.” Another term used to describe voice disorders is dysphonia, which means an impairment of the voice.Some people are at a higher risk of developing voice disorders because of their occupations. This includes occupations requiring frequent vocal use, such as teachers, professional speakers, clergy, etc.
What are Signs of a Voice DIsorder
- Breathy vocal quality
- Change in pitch or pitch range
- Chronic cough or excessive throat clearing
- Difficulty with breathing during speech
- Discomfort or pain with voice use
- Hoarse voice
- Inability to speak loudly or abnormal loudness
- Loss of voice
- Tremulous voice
- Vocal strain or tension
