Muscle Tension Dysphonia & Functional Voice Disorders

What Is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a common type of functional voice disorder. It can appear in different ways but typically involves excessive glottic and supraglottic contraction—meaning the muscles around the voice box are too tight for normal voice production. MTD is frequently associated with stress, anxiety, high vocal demands, and feeling overwhelmed, much like muscle tension in other parts of the body.

What Are the Symptoms of Muscle Tension Dysphonia?

Strained vocal quality
Breathiness
Vocal weakness
Painful speaking
Vocal fatigue
Breaks or spasms in the voice
A hoarse or raspy voice that requires effort to produce
Tightness or pain in the throat

What Causes MTD?

The exact cause of MTD is not fully understood. There are several factors that may play a role in its development, including upper respiratory infection, acid reflux, or overuse of voice.

UR Medicine's Treatments for Muscle Tension Dysphonia & Functional Voice Disorders

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Our Speech-Language Pathologists, who have specialty training and expertise in the assessment and treatment of voice disorders, assessment and treatment, will complete a personalized assessment of your voice. Assessment may include:

A detailed history collection
Laryngeal Function Studies consisting of computerized voice analysis and airway measures
Behavioral voice and communication analysis
Stimulability trials

Prior to the initiation of voice therapy, a laryngeal examination should be completed in order to identify the etiology of your individual voice problem and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

Voice Therapy for MTD

If you are recommended for voice therapy, your therapy program may include some or all of the following techniques:

Strengthen and re-balance laryngeal and pharyngeal musculature, including the muscles, joints, and ligaments used in voice production
Learn techniques for producing a healthy voice while eliminating overuse or abuse
Exercise laryngeal muscles
Create a healthy motor pattern and balance pressures to achieve the ideal configuration of your vocal folds for voice use
Learn suppression and breathing strategies to minimize coughing or throat clearing (if this is a problem for you)

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine Voice Center is the only voice center in Upstate New York with a comprehensive team of voice experts, including ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians who are fellowship-trained in voice disorders and board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.

Our speech pathologists have specialized training to evaluate and treat patients with voice, swallowing, and breathing problems and complex conditions such as voice restoration after throat cancer. Our team also includes trained singing voice specialists who are experienced performers, singers, and singing teachers who understand the challenges of being a vocal professional.

As part of UR Medicine, our physicians are exposed to more complex conditions and unusual complications than most physicians in the upstate New York region. Many of our physicians are also involved in research to find new treatments for ENT-related conditions.

Providers

Our team of specialists includes both fellowship-trained ear nose and throat physicians, speech-language pathologists and singing specialists who have specialized training in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and work collaboratively to diagnose and treat voice disorders.

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