Resonance & Other Voice Disorders

Question 1

Hypernasality

Answer 1

Excessive nasal resonance during non nasal sounds
Etiology: velopharyngeal incompetence, or failure of the velopharyngeal port to attain and/or maintain sufficient closure

Question 2

Hypernasality vocal parameters

Answer 2

Non-organic: no associated symptoms

Organic: faulty articulation, nasal emissions, facial grimacing, laryngeal abnormalities, reduced intensity/loudness

Question 3

Hyponasality

Answer 3

Speech productions that are deficient or lacking in nasal resonance
Etiology: typically organic origin resulting from an obstruction in the nasopharyngeal area

Question 4

Hyponasality parameters

Answer 4

Voice has “muted’ sound, sounds like patient has a “head cold”

Question 5

Mixed Resonance

Answer 5

Evidence for both hypernasality due to velopharyngeal dysfunction and hyponasality

Question 6

Cul-de-sac resonance

Answer 6

A “muffled and hollow” vocal quality, lacking full resonance

Etiology: tongue deeply retracted and posteriorly placed in the pharynx

Question 7

Functional Voice Disorder: Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM)

Answer 7

Airway obstruction due to vocal fold closure
Occurs during speech and inhalation
Etiology: no definitive etiology, frequently mistaken for asthma
Possible causes: psychological, airway hyperactivity, neurogenic, pharmacological, unspecified

Question 8

Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Characteristics

Answer 8

Vocal: Breathy, weak phonation, hoarseness, inspiratory stridor
Nonvocal: throat tightness, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough