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How Breakdowns Result in Voice Disorders
Voice disorders refer to breakdowns in the vibratory system. Breakdowns can affect any one or all of the three subsystems of voice production.
If the airflow source is weak or inefficient (making it difficult to push enough air out of lungs), the voice will be weak and hampered by shortness of breath.
- For example: Patients with asthma, lung cancer, emphysema and other lung conditions often find it difficult to speak loud or for long periods of time.
Any compromise or change to vocal fold vibration causes hoarseness and other voice symptoms.
- For example: Patients with stiffness in the vocal folds from swelling from a common cold develop hoarseness.
- For example: When focal folds cannot come perfectly together from partial nerve input loss, air leak occurs and the voice is "breathy."
A breakdown of the vocal tract can affect voice quality.
- For example: When nasal passageways are swollen and inflamed during the "common cold," the voice takes on a nasal quality.
Making Sense of It All
The following are a few examples depicting how breakdowns result in voice disorders and a few of the many possible voice symptoms.
Correlating Anatomy, Voice Function, Abnormalities, and Possible Voice Disorder SymptomsSound Process Brief Description A Glimpse – "who does what" in Sound Production Examples of "Breakdowns" that Affect Sound Process Possible Symptoms Generating Air Pressure"Breath Support"
Coordinated functions of diaphragm, abdominal and chest muscles, lungs and chest cavity move air column upwards through vocal foldsDiaphragm, abdominal and chest muscles move air into and out of lungs
Lungs are the organs for air
Bronchi and trachea are the passageway for air from lungs
Lung disease
Airway obstruction: asthma, subglottic stenosis
Paresis/paralysis of muscles
Shortness of breath
Weak voice
Glottic ClosurePosition of vocal folds
Vocal Fold Position Critical
Vocal folds are in closed position for speech or singing
[Note: Vocal folds are open for breathing]Laryngeal muscles contract to close vocal folds
Arytenoid cartilages pivot to move vocal folds towards midline ["closed"]
RLN and SLN bring nerve inputs to muscles
Vocal fold mass and edge contribute to glottic closure
Paresis/paralysis – RLN/SLN
Muscle weakness
Neurological diseases; muscular disorders
Arytenoid arthritis
Vocal fold granuloma
Vocal fold nodules, polyps, cysts
Vocal fold atrophy
Vocal fold scarring
Hoarseness
Breathiness
Effortful phonation
Vocal fatigue
Diplophonia
Vocal Fold Vibration Produces Voiced SoundWavelike Vibration from Bottom to Top–repeat vibratory cycles
With each vocal fold vibratory cycle, a puff of air escapes, producing voice sound ("buzzy sound")
Singing voice produces unique sound spectra (singing formants) that are distinct from spoken voice
Superficial lamina propria is the main vibrating layer in vocal fold mucosa
Vocal fold pliability is critical for vibration
Vocal fold surface integrity allows mucosal wave propagation
Vocal fold mass and edge contribute to glottic closure
Vocal fold scar
Vocal fold lesions: cysts, nodules, polyps, papilloma
Vocal fold granuloma
Swelling and inflammation (reflux laryngitis, viral laryngitis)
Reinke's edema
Paresis/paralysis
Hemorrhage, vascular ectasias
Hoarseness
Effortful phonation
Weak voice
Speaking voice lower than usual
"Vocal fry"
Voice fatigue
Voice Volume or LoudnessAmplitude of Sound Waves
Loudness is achieved by:Increasing air pressure/flow
Increasing vocal fold resistance
Breath support
Laryngeal muscles contract to adjust tension of vocal folds
Vocal fold elasticity allows folds to "open wider" and "stay apart" longer
Vocal fold scar
Paresis/paralysis
Vocal fold lesions: cysts, nodules, polyps, papilloma
Vocal fold granuloma
Swelling and inflammation (reflux laryngitis, viral laryngitis)
Unable to project voice
Weak voice
Voice breaks
Voice Pitch or Highness/ LownessFrequency of Sound Waves
Increased tension for high notes (high frequency)
Decreased tension for low notes (low frequency)
Greater air pressure and increased tension for high notes
Laryngeal muscles contract to adjust tension of vocal folds–especially for high notes
Vocal fold elasticity/pliability
Vocal fold edge integrity
SLN paresis/paralysis
Vocal fold scar
Reinke's edema
Vocal fold lesions
Unable to hit high notes
Loss of glissando
Voice breaks
Voice Quality or TimbrePerson's "Own" Voice
Vocal tract resonators amplify and modify voiced sound, giving personal quality to a person's voicee.g., John's voice not equal to Jim's voice
Vocal fold elasticity/pliability
Vocal fold resistance
Vocal fold mass
Person's vocal fold features: e.g., stiffness, bulk, size
Vocal tract resonators (throat, oral cavity, nasal cavities)
Vocal fold scar
Vocal fold inflammation
Reinke's Edema
Common cold
Hoarseness, etc.
Off expected pitch
Nasal quality to voice
