Functional Dysphonia

Functional Dysphonia

  • About
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is functional dysphonia?

    Dysphonia (diss-PHONE-nee-yah) is the medical term for disorders of the voice. Functional dysphonia is poor voice quality without any obvious anatomical, neurological or other organic difficulties affecting the larynx or voice box. It is also referred to as functional voice difficulty. 

    There are two types of functional dysphonia:

    • Hypofunctional dysphonia — Results from an incomplete closure of the vocal cords or folds.
    • Hyperfunctional dysphonia — Results from overuse of the laryngeal muscles and, occasionally, use of the false vocal folds (the upper two vocal folds that are not involved in vocalization). 

    Functional dysphonia is more common in women over age 40. 

    What causes functional dysphonia?

    Functional dysphonia is occasionally associated with viral illness (including measles and mumps) and major life stress.

    Appointment Information

    Schedule an appointment by calling us at (734) 936-8051.

    What are the symptoms of functional dysphonia?

    Typical symptoms of functional dysphonia include:

    • Breathy, hoarse or rough voice
    • Voice instability
    • Voice fatigue

    How is functional dysphonia diagnosed?

    The University of Michigan Vocal Health Center team will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and then do a thorough head and neck examination. During this process, we will also assess your vocal quality, vocal efficiency and speaking technique. 

    To make sure that there are no structural problems or disease, we may do a laryngoscopy procedure. The physician uses this procedure to get a clear and complete view of the vocal folds. 

    How is functional dysphonia treated?

    Overall, functional dysphonia is very treatable. At the University of Michigan Vocal Health Center, we offer a variety of treatments for functional dysphonia, including:

    • Voice therapy
    • Visual and electromyographic biofeedback
    • Progressive relaxation
    • Laryngeal massage, which lowers the larynx and relaxes tense muscles

    Locations
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions
    • Vocal Health Center | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 1 Reception A
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5312       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Jayson Scott Greenberg, MD

    Jayson Scott Greenberg, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Norman Dertad Hogikyan, MD

    Norman Dertad Hogikyan, MD, F.A.C.S.

    Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Robbi Ann Kupfer, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Robert James Morrison, MD

    Robert James Morrison, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Jeffrey John Stanley, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Sleep Medicine, Otolaryngology

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