Vocal Tremor

What Is Vocal Tremor?

Vocal tremor is a neurological voice disorder that causes rhythmic shaking or quivering of the voice. It occurs due to involuntary muscle contractions in the vocal mechanism, affecting the way sound is produced. This shaking can make the voice wobbly, unsteady, or strained, especially when holding out sounds or speaking for extended periods.

Vocal tremor can occur on its own or alongside other movement disorders, such as essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. While there is no cure, treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve voice control.

What Are the Symptoms of Vocal Tremor?

Symptoms of vocal tremor vary but may include:

A shaky, quivering, or wobbly voice when speaking
Fluctuations in pitch or volume
Difficulty controlling the voice, especially when holding out sounds
Increased vocal fatigue with prolonged talking
Tremor in other parts of the body, such as the hands or head (if part of a larger movement disorder)

What Causes Vocal Tremor?

Vocal tremor is caused by neurological dysfunction affecting the muscles that control voice production. It often stems from abnormal nerve signals in the brain, particularly within the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which regulate muscle coordination and movement.

Vocal tremor can be:

Isolated (Essential Vocal Tremor) – Occurs without any other neurological symptoms.
Associated with a Movement Disorder – Seen in conditions like essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, or dystonia.

In some cases, vocal tremor can worsen with stress, fatigue, or as part of the natural aging process.

UR Medicine's Treatments for Vocal Tremor

How Is Vocal Tremor Treated?

While there is no cure for vocal tremor, treatments focus on reducing the severity of symptoms and helping patients improve voice control. UR Medicine offers a comprehensive approach that combines medical, surgical, and therapy-based interventions to create a customized treatment plan.

Medications – Certain drugs, such as beta-blockers or anti-seizure medications, may help reduce tremor severity. In cases linked to Parkinson’s disease, dopaminergic medications may be beneficial.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – In select cases, surgically implanted electrodes may help regulate abnormal nerve signals and reduce vocal tremor, particularly in patients with essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease.
Botox Injections – Botulinum toxin injections into the vocal folds can help relax overactive muscles, reducing tremor and improving voice stability.
Speech Therapy – Speech-language pathologists assist patients in enhancing vocal techniques to improve breath control, minimize vocal strain, and support overall vocal health.

Assessment will include:

A detailed history collection
Laryngeal Function Studies consisting of computerized voice analysis and airway measures
Behavioral voice and communication analysis
Tailored assessment techniques to further assess for the presence of these conditions
Stimulability trials

What Sets Us Apart?

At UR Medicine, our team of otolaryngologists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists work together to deliver expert care for vocal tremor. Here’s why patients choose us:

Multidisciplinary Approach

Collaboration between ENT specialists, movement disorder neurologists and speech-language pathologists ensures the most effective, personalized care.

Advanced Diagnostics

Our team uses laryngeal function studies, computerized voice analysis, and airway assessments to pinpoint the severity of vocal tremor.

Expert Speech-Language Pathologists

Our specialists are highly trained in voice disorders and use evidence-based therapy techniques to improve voice control.

Leading-Edge Treatment Options

We offer Botox injections, medication management, and surgical options like DBS for patients with significant vocal tremor.

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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