🎓 Neurogenic Voice Disorders — Concise Q&A

🧠 Basics

Q1. What causes neurogenic voice disorders?

A: Damage to the nervous system (CNS or PNS) that affects voice control.

🧠 Basics

Q2. Which cranial nerve controls the larynx?

A: Vagus nerve (CN X).

🧠 Basics

Q3. UMN vs LMN—what’s the difference?

A:

UMN: Spasticity → strained voice

LMN: Weakness → breathy voice

🗣️ Dysarthria Types

Q4. What is dysarthria?

A: A motor speech disorder caused by muscle weakness or incoordination.

🗣 Dysarthria Types

Q5. Which dysarthria types cause voice changes?

A: All, especially spastic (strained), flaccid (breathy), and hypokinetic (soft, monotone).

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q6. What causes vocal fold paralysis?

A: Nerve damage (often to CN X).

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q7. What are the main types?

A:

Unilateral: Breathy, weak voice

Bilateral adductor: Can’t close → breathy

Bilateral abductor: Can’t open → airway blocked

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q8. What’s the main treatment goal?

A: Improve closure and breath support; possible surgery or therapy.

🔸 Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD)

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q9. What is SD?

A: A neurological voice disorder with involuntary laryngeal spasms.

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q10. What are the two types?

A:

ADSD: Strained, effortful voice (over-closure)

ABSD: Breathy breaks (over-opening)

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q11. Main treatment?

A: Botox injections + voice therapy.

🎶 Vocal Tremor

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q12. What is vocal tremor?

A: Regular, rhythmic shaking of voice (4–7 Hz).

🩺 Vocal Fold Paralysis

Q13. Voice sounds like?

A: “Shaky” or “wobbly” during sustained vowels.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q14. Myasthenia Gravis – key signs?

A: Weak, breathy voice that worsens with use and improves with rest.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q15. Parkinson’s Disease – key signs?

A: Soft, monotone, hoarse voice with reduced loudness.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q16. Huntington’s Disease – key signs?

A: Sudden pitch/loudness changes; jerky, irregular voice.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q17. ALS – key signs?

A: Mixed spastic + flaccid voice; strained then weak/aphonic.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q18. Multiple Sclerosis – key signs?

A: Tremor, fluctuating loudness, poor coordination.

⚡ Neurological Diseases Affecting Voice

Q19. Traumatic Brain Injury – key signs?

A: Inconsistent loudness, slurred, or harsh voice.

💬 Treatment Goals (Overall)

Q20. What’s the main therapy goal for neurogenic voice disorders?

A: Maximize functional communication and voice efficiency using compensatory strategies.