Spasmodic Dysphonia Report
Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological voice disorder that causes the laryngeal muscles to spasm uncontrollably during phonation (Baylor, Yorkston, & Eadie, 2005). Revelo, Underbrink, & Quinn state that this disorder impacts 1 in 10,000 individuals in the United States (as cited in Mathew, 2014). The cause of this voice disorder is unknown at this time, and it affects more women than men (Baylor et al., 2005). Spasmodic dysphonia causes the voice to sound unnatural and either breathy or strained, and it greatly affects the everyday lives of individuals living with the disorder (Mathew, 2014).
The types of spasmodic dysphonia are adductor spasmodic dysphonia, abductor spasmodic dysphonia and mixed spasmodic dysphonia. Adductor spasmodic dysphonia, …show more content…
the most common type, is defined by the involuntary tightening of the vocal folds during speech (Mathew, 2014). This causes the individual’s voice to sound forced, as if they are choking (Mathew, 2014). Abductor spasmodic dysphonia causes the vocal folds to spontaneously move to the open position during speech (Baylor et al., 2005). Since the vocal folds do not close properly during speech, the voice sounds breathy (Mathew, 2014). According to Revelo et al., mixed spasmodic dysphonia has the characteristics of both adductor and abductor spasmodic dysphonia (as cited in Mathew, 2014). This, however, is the least common of the three types. Since the voice quality of individuals with spasmodic dysphonia can mimic that of many other voice disorders, diagnosis can be difficult in many cases (Mathew 2014). An otolaryngologist diagnoses the disorder after a patient’s history has been evaluated (Mathew, 2014). Although there is not a cure at this time, speech therapy is offered to patients in the beginning stages of the disorder (Mathew 2014). If speech therapy is ineffective, Botulinum Toxin A, also known as Botox, can be injected into the laryngeal muscles (Mathew, 2014). This treatment is used every 3-8 months depending on the voice quality of the patient (Mathew, 2014). The injection of Botox prevents nerve impulses, which in turn causes the spasms to decrease (Mathew, 2014). Swallowing difficulties and a breathy voice may occur for a short period of time directly after the Botox treatment (Mathew, 2014). Due to the variability in voice quality associated with spasmodic dysphonia, individuals are unable to depend on their voice in various situations (Baylor et al., 2005). The voice quality associated with spasmodic dysphonia causes great difficulty in the daily lives of individuals with the disorder (Baylor et al., 2005).
Those with the disorder are unable to increase the intensity of their voice, which makes it difficult to speak on the telephone and in background noise (Baylor et al., 2005). Individuals often report feeling tired and out of breath due to the extensive amount of energy it requires to speak (Baylor et al., 2005). These factors not only influence the daily life of an individual suffering from spasmodic dysphonia, but they also greatly affect their quality of life. Many individuals avoid social interactions because people treat them differently based on their voice quality (Baylor et al., 2005). Since those affected have a voice quality similar to someone who is sick, they are often treated as if they have an illness that can be spread (Baylor et al., 2005). This leads to lack of participation when they attend gatherings that require interaction with others (Baylor et al., 2005). Many individuals report that their self-image decreased after acquiring the disorder due to the way they are treated (Baylor et al., 2005). The negative treatment from others, reduced ability to communicate, and negative self-image often results in feelings of inadequacy and isolation (Baylor et al.,
2005).
Spasmodic dysphonia is a difficult disorder for an individual to live with due to the variability of the voice and difficulty speaking to others. Although there is no long-term treatment, speech therapy could greatly improve daily life by helping an individual learn different strategies for communication. This would reduce the feeling of isolation and give a better quality of life to those with spasmodic dysphonia.
The types of spasmodic dysphonia are adductor spasmodic dysphonia, abductor spasmodic dysphonia and mixed spasmodic dysphonia. Adductor spasmodic dysphonia, …show more content…
the most common type, is defined by the involuntary tightening of the vocal folds during speech (Mathew, 2014). This causes the individual’s voice to sound forced, as if they are choking (Mathew, 2014). Abductor spasmodic dysphonia causes the vocal folds to spontaneously move to the open position during speech (Baylor et al., 2005). Since the vocal folds do not close properly during speech, the voice sounds breathy (Mathew, 2014). According to Revelo et al., mixed spasmodic dysphonia has the characteristics of both adductor and abductor spasmodic dysphonia (as cited in Mathew, 2014). This, however, is the least common of the three types. Since the voice quality of individuals with spasmodic dysphonia can mimic that of many other voice disorders, diagnosis can be difficult in many cases (Mathew 2014). An otolaryngologist diagnoses the disorder after a patient’s history has been evaluated (Mathew, 2014). Although there is not a cure at this time, speech therapy is offered to patients in the beginning stages of the disorder (Mathew 2014). If speech therapy is ineffective, Botulinum Toxin A, also known as Botox, can be injected into the laryngeal muscles (Mathew, 2014). This treatment is used every 3-8 months depending on the voice quality of the patient (Mathew, 2014). The injection of Botox prevents nerve impulses, which in turn causes the spasms to decrease (Mathew, 2014). Swallowing difficulties and a breathy voice may occur for a short period of time directly after the Botox treatment (Mathew, 2014). Due to the variability in voice quality associated with spasmodic dysphonia, individuals are unable to depend on their voice in various situations (Baylor et al., 2005). The voice quality associated with spasmodic dysphonia causes great difficulty in the daily lives of individuals with the disorder (Baylor et al., 2005).
Those with the disorder are unable to increase the intensity of their voice, which makes it difficult to speak on the telephone and in background noise (Baylor et al., 2005). Individuals often report feeling tired and out of breath due to the extensive amount of energy it requires to speak (Baylor et al., 2005). These factors not only influence the daily life of an individual suffering from spasmodic dysphonia, but they also greatly affect their quality of life. Many individuals avoid social interactions because people treat them differently based on their voice quality (Baylor et al., 2005). Since those affected have a voice quality similar to someone who is sick, they are often treated as if they have an illness that can be spread (Baylor et al., 2005). This leads to lack of participation when they attend gatherings that require interaction with others (Baylor et al., 2005). Many individuals report that their self-image decreased after acquiring the disorder due to the way they are treated (Baylor et al., 2005). The negative treatment from others, reduced ability to communicate, and negative self-image often results in feelings of inadequacy and isolation (Baylor et al.,
2005).
Spasmodic dysphonia is a difficult disorder for an individual to live with due to the variability of the voice and difficulty speaking to others. Although there is no long-term treatment, speech therapy could greatly improve daily life by helping an individual learn different strategies for communication. This would reduce the feeling of isolation and give a better quality of life to those with spasmodic dysphonia.