Module 6: Voice Disorders and Resonance Disorders

What are the three subsystems of voice production?

Respiration, phonation, and resonance.

What does the larynx do?

Produces voice and protects the airway from foreign matter.

What is the glottis?

The space between the vocal folds.

What is the difference between abduction and adduction?

Abduction opens the vocal folds for breathing; adduction brings them together for phonation and breath holding.

What is phonation?

The process of generating voice through vocal fold vibration.

What is the difference between frequency and pitch?

Frequency is the number of vibrations per second, measured in Hz; higher frequency generally means higher perceived pitch.

What is vocal intensity?

Perceived loudness, measured in decibels (dB).

What is voice quality?

Characteristics of the voice, such as breathiness, hoarseness, and nasality.

What is the difference between dysphonia and aphonia?

Dysphonia is impaired voice; aphonia is the inability to produce voice.

What is a structural voice disorder?

A voice disorder caused by physical changes in the vocal mechanism.

What is a neurogenic voice disorder?

A voice disorder caused by nervous system impairment affecting voice production.

What is a functional voice disorder?

Inefficient voice use without a relevant structural or neurological abnormality.

What is phonotrauma?

Vocal fold irritation or damage from misuse, such as yelling, coughing, or throat clearing.

What is the difference between vocal nodules and vocal polyps?

Nodules are callus-like bumps caused by repeated pressure; polyps are growths often linked to trauma.

What is laryngitis?

Inflammation or swelling of the vocal folds, often causing hoarseness and breathiness.

What is puberphonia?

An unusually high-pitched voice that persists after puberty without a structural cause.

What is adductor spasmodic dysphonia?

Involuntary vocal fold closure that causes a strained, tight voice.

What is abductor spasmodic dysphonia?

Involuntary vocal fold opening that causes a weak, breathy voice or periods of aphonia.

What voice features may occur in Parkinson's disease?

A monotonic voice, low pitch, and reduced variation in loudness.

How can ALS affect voice?

Progressive weakness can cause hoarseness, breathiness, and hypernasality.

What are laryngeal papillomas?

Benign HPV-associated growths that can develop on the vocal folds and obstruct the airway.

What is laryngeal carcinoma?

Cancer of the larynx; smoking is a major cause.

What is resonance?

How sound is shaped by the oral, pharyngeal, and nasal cavities.

What is the difference between hypernasality and hyponasality?

Hypernasality is excessive nasal resonance; hyponasality is reduced nasal resonance.

What is velopharyngeal closure?

The velum elevates against the pharynx to separate the nasal and oral cavities.

How can a cleft palate affect resonance?

It can interfere with velopharyngeal closure and cause abnormal nasality.

What is the difference between subjective and objective voice assessment?

Subjective assessment uses listening, observation, and history; objective assessment uses instrumental examination, such as laryngoscopy.

What is the difference between indirect and direct laryngoscopy?

Indirect laryngoscopy uses a mirror; direct laryngoscopy uses an endoscope to view the larynx.

What is the difference between indirect and direct voice therapy?

Indirect therapy focuses on education and vocal hygiene; direct therapy uses exercises and changes to voicing behaviors.

What is LSVT used for?

It encourages a fuller, louder voice, especially for people with Parkinson's disease.

What happens during a total laryngectomy?

The entire larynx is removed, including the vocal folds, and the person breathes through a permanent opening in the neck called a stoma.