Sensory Function in Idiopathic Voice Disorders

This research study is designed to improve understanding about voice disorders that are due to uncontrolled muscle contractions affecting the voice box. The type of voice disorder depends on which muscles of the voice box are involved. Abductor spasmodic dysphonia may lead to a weak voice. Adductor spasmodic dysphonia may result in a strangled voice. Muscular tension dysphonia may lead to a strained voice. Some of the major goals of the study are to;

1. understand how sensation from the voice box affects voice and speech production
2. develop better ways to diagnose sensation abnormalities affecting the voice box
3. determine if patients with voice disorders differ from persons without voice disorders in the way they respond to sensory information from their voice box

Researchers believe that by understanding better how sensations of the voice box are presented and how the muscles in the larynx respond to those sensations they will be able to develop better treatments for patients suffering from voice disorders. ...