Synonyms

Mutism

Definition

Aphonia is the complete absence of voice, i.e., adduction and vibration of the vocal folds are insufficient for vocal production. Aphonia may be associated with vocal fold paralysis; trauma; severe cases of inflammation, edema, or scarring of the vocal folds; benign or malignant diseases of the vocal folds that interfere with vocal fold closure; neurologically based movement disorders (e.g., spasmodic dysphonia); overuse of the voice; or somatoform disorders (e.g., in forms of elective mutism). Aphonia may be intermittent or episodic. For example, individuals with spasmodic dysphonia may have periodic, abnormal abduction or adduction of the vocal folds that may be perceived as voice breaks. Individuals who stutter also may have periodic voice breaks, in this case associated with tight adduction of the vocal folds.

When voice loss is incomplete, or when vocal quality is affected without complete loss of voice (e.g., if the voice is hoarse), it is referred to as dysphonia. Aphonia and dysphonia refer specifically to abnormal sound output from the phonatory sound source (i.e., the larynx) and should be distinguished from anarthria or dysarthria, which are disorders of articulation, i.e., related to the movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and soft palate. Accordingly, dysphonia or aphonia can occur independently from anarthria or dysarthria.

Cross-References