FUNCTIONAL APHONIA
Definition:
- * The patient suffering from functional aphonia underadducts,
keeping the folds apart.
The patient has an absence of
voicing usually perceived as a whisper. It can be
consistent or
episodic. Usually the patient has had several temporary losses of
voice
before the disorder becomes permanent.
Etiology:
- * Functional aphonia may have one or more etiologies.
- 1. Bilateral vocal fold paralysis
- 2. Result of central nervous system dysfunction
- 3. Psychogenic problem
- 4. Central neurological dysfunction of flaccid type
- 5. Psychologically based
- 6. Acute stress
- 7. Laryngeal pathology
Symptoms:
- 1. Dryness in throat
- 2. Soreness
- 3. Great deal of effort in attempting to speak
- 4. Hoarse
- 5. Breathy
- 6. Inappropriate pitch
Monica Spann, 1997