Voice Disorders

The voice is the primary means by which humans communicate their intentions and emotions, and it is a rich source of expression tied to each person’s personality and identity. When there is a disruption in a person’s voice, it can affect that individual’s physical, social, and psychological health. Voice disorders can impact relationships, cut short careers, disrupt everyday activities and social roles, and even may be life-threatening. The National Institutes of Health currently estimates that approximately 17.9 million Americans have trouble using their voices as a result of inefficient and improper use of the vocal mechanism (i.e., the so-called functional voice disorders), neurogenic disorders, or organic causes that may be benign or even include cancer. This translates to approximately 1 in 13 adults (or about ...