Functional dysphonia / dysody (voice disorder of the speaking or singing voice)
Definition: Functional dysphonia or dysody is a voice disorder without a clearly apparent organic cause.
The muscles of the larynx that are used to produce the voice are in a very complex balance that can be described as unstable. This is one of the reasons why the movement processes are susceptible to disturbances.
Causes of dysfunction (dyphonia or dysody) can be:
- Singing too much, too long, too loudly
- Singing technique that is either underdeveloped, one-sided or contradicts the physiology of the larynx
- Incorrect speaking habits or speaking technique
- Lack of or incorrect breathing technique
- Psychological disorders such as excessive stress or mental illnesses
Functional disorders can also occur secondarily, as a result of an organic disorder:
- After severe, or long-lasting colds
- With smokers
- Reflux
- Hormonal fluctuations
- But also with all other organic changes of the vocal folds (see below).
Nodules of the vocal folds / singing nodules
We prefer to speak of phonation thickening. These are opposite mucosal thickenings on the free edge of the vocal folds. These thickenings can be compared to calluses on pressure-loaded areas on the body, e.g. on hands or feet. They cause a reduced ability of the vocal folds to vibrate – the voice needs more blowing pressure to respond.
These phonation thickenings or vocal fold nodules are usually caused by overuse or incorrect use and can be made to disappear with targeted therapy. Occasionally, surgical ablation is advisable.
Organic dysphonia (voice disorder)
Definition: Voice disorder due to a clearly visible organic change.
This category includes
- Malformations of the larynx
- Inflammations
- Cysts and polyps
- Tumours
- Paralyses
- Haemorrhages
- Traumas (injuries)
- Hormonal disorders
- Metabolic disorders