dysphonia
Meaning of dysphonia: Dysphonia is any disruption in normal voice production, most often experienced as hoarseness or an altered vocal pitch or quality.
Definition of dysphonia
Dysphonia refers to any abnormal change in the voice, most commonly experienced as hoarseness, a rough or strained vocal quality, or an unexpected change in pitch or volume when trying to speak.
Dysphonia arises from a problem somewhere along the pathway involved in producing voice, most often at the level of the vocal cords themselves. Common causes include laryngitis from infection or irritation, overuse of the voice, growths such as vocal cord nodules or polyps, and impaired movement of one or both vocal cords.
Because dysphonia can result from causes ranging from a temporary infection to a more persistent structural or nerve related problem, a voice change that lasts for an extended period, rather than resolving as an ordinary cold does, is generally evaluated further to identify its underlying cause.
Used in a sentence
The patient's persistent dysphonia prompted referral for laryngoscopy.
Good to know
Dysphonia describes a change in vocal quality itself, distinct from dysarthria, which describes difficulty forming clear speech due to impaired control of the muscles used in speaking.
Word origin
Where “dysphonia” comes from
Formed from Greek dys-, meaning difficult or abnormal, and phone, meaning voice.