Disorders of voice Flashcards
What is a voice disorder?
Range of conditions that affect the larynx
What is dysphonia?
Impairment causing poor quality voice
Hoarseness
What is the prevalence of a voice disorder?
29.9% of the general population at some point in our lives
Slightly more prevalent in adult women than adult men
What can cause someone to develop a voice disorder?
Exposure to laryngeal irritants
How do irritants impact the larynx?
Provokes allergic reactions
Inflames laryngeal tissue
Increases mucous levels
Provokes unhelpful laryngeal behaviours e.g. throat clearing
What are the different ways to classify a voice disorder? x3
Organic
Functional
Psychogenic
What are organic voice disorders?
Physiological
Results from changes in vocal tract, larynx or respiratory system
How can organic voice disorders be classified further? x2
Structural
Neurogenic/neuromuscular - affected by disordered CNS or PNS
What are vocal nodules?
Always appear bilaterally
Typical place is the middle of the vocal folds
A contact lesion (like a callous)
Affects how well the vocal folds can close
How can polyps affect the vocal folds?
Usually unilateral
Variable size and shape
Mostly benign, extra tissue (soft)
How can cysts affect the vocal folds?
Usually unilateral - may lead to nodules
Firm mass of tissue within a membrane (hard)
What are some organic/structural voice disorders?
Polyps
Cysts
Tumour
Reinke’s oedema
What is Reinke’s oedema?
Structural classification
Fluid within Reinke’s space
Puffy and swollen presentation
Usually smoking related
Can sometimes be drained
What is spasmodic dysphonia?
Neurogenic classification
Rapid pitch changes - wobbly and strangled
Often onsets gradually
What are the two types of spasmodic dysphonia?
Neurogenic classification
Adductor spasmodic dysphonia - spasms trigger vocal folds to close
Abductor spasmodic dysphonia - spasms trigger vocal cords to open
How can functional disorders be further split?
Hyperfunctional - overuse of laryngeal muscles
Hypofunctional - incomplete vocal cord closure
What is vocal cord palsy?
Hypofunctional classification
Paralysis of one or both vocal cords
Paralysis may occur in adducted or abducted position
What can cause vocal cord palsy?
Disturbance to superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)
Pressure on SLN/RLN nerve
Strokes or TBI
Viral causes
What is muscle tension dysphonia? (MDT)
Hyperfunctional classification
Excessive recruitment of inappropriate laryngeal structures to produce voice
Tension in neck, shoulders, face etc.
What is laryngopharyngeal reflux?
Acid reflux that affects your voice and throat
Features include hoarseness, laryngitis and chronic throat clearing
Happens when both the lower and upper esophageal sphincters relaxes inappropriately
What is meant by psychogenic voice classification?
Many symptoms similar to functional
Potential for normal phonation
Voice varies according to social context, mood etc.
How can an SLT support trans voice?
Transgender Centres of Excellence is used
Exploration of authentic voice may be a potential goal
Help to alleviate gender dysphoria
What are the two types of reflux?
Laryngeal Reflux (LPR) (silent reflux)
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) (heartburn)
