Voice disorders

1. What are voice disorders?

Voice disorders (Voice Disorders or Dysphonia) are caused by ...impairments in vocal production, modulation, or functional usage. Such pathologies can compromise a patient's interpersonal communication, ...an atypical departure from baseline vocal quality accompanied by phonatory strain, including whispering, dysphonia (hoarseness), vocal asthenia, or breathiness...

2. Etiology and Causes 

The etiology of dysphonia and voice disorders is multifaceted and contingent upon the specific underlying pathology.

• Typically originates from brain lesions, neurological disorders.

• Vocal abuse damages the vocal cords through behaviors such as excessive talking and yelling. Continuous cigarette smoking is also a behavior that induces voice disorders.

• Abnormal or damaged vocal cord structure.

3. Symptoms of the disease 

When afflicted with this condition, patients may notice vocal alterations, such as disturbances in pitch, intensity, timbre, or overall voice quality. Symptoms may include a faint voice, strained or unstable phonation, and difficulty articulating words accurately.

4. Classification, staging of the disease, and complications of voice disorders 

Voice disorders can be classified based on their etiology and characteristic clinical symptoms. Common types of voice disorders include:

• Dysarthria: Caused by weakness or impairment of sensory muscles or muscles controlling phonation. The severity of this condition can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of mechanical damage.

• Functional Voice Disorders: Disorders without an identifiable organic etiology, frequently triggered by stress, anxiety, or other emotional tension.

• Specific Voice Disorders: Include conditions such as vocal fold polyps, laryngeal stones, or laryngitis.

Complications of voice disorders may include the inability to communicate effectively. If not treated promptly and effectively, voice disorders can negatively impact a patient's quality of life and daily functional activities.

5. Preventive measures and treatment protocols 

Some simple vocal hygiene measures to prevent significant damage to the vocal cords include:

• Limit speaking loudly and excessively; avoid shouting.

• Maintain adequate hydration to keep the vocal cords moisturized

• Minimize the consumption of coffee, beer, alcohol, and tobacco to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• For patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, late-night eating should be avoided, and the head should be elevated during sleep to prevent stomach acid from refluxing into the larynx.

Treatment of voice disorders:

• Medical treatment (medication): Some causes of voice disorders can be effectively treated with medication.

• Speech therapy: Also known as voice training, indicated for the following cases:

• Neurogenic voice disorders

• Voice therapy after laryngeal surgery

• Functional voice disorder without vocal fold lesions.

• Phonatory dysfunction

• Surgical Intervention for Voice Disorders: Phonosurgical procedures designed to correct structural anomalies and deformities within the vocal and respiratory tract.

Upon recognizing the early signs of the disease, you should promptly visit an Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) specialist for a laryngopharyngeal endoscopy and undergo necessary diagnostic investigations if abnormalities are detected.

Book an appointment at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department – Sante Hospital with Dr. Tran Trong Uyen Minh, MD, PhD Former Deputy Head of Department at Ho Chi Minh City ENT Hospital with over 30 years of experience in successfully diagnosing and treating ENT pathologies.

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11A Dinh Bo Linh, Ward 24, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

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