Muscle Tension Dysphonia | |
---|---|
Specialty | Otolaryngology, Speech Language Pathology[1] |
Symptoms | changes in voice, hoarse voice, breathy voice[1][2] |
Usual onset | Middle Age[2] |
Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) was originally coined in 1983 by Morrison[2] and describes a dysphonia caused by increased muscle tension of the muscles surrounding the voice box: the laryngeal and paralaryngeal muscles.[3] MTD is a unifying diagnosis for a previously poorly categorized disease process. It allows for the diagnosis of dysphonia caused by many different etiologies and can be confirmed by history, physical exam, laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy, a technique that allows for the direct visualization of the larynx, vocal cords, and vocal cord motion.[4]
MTD has been known by other names including muscle misuse dysphonia, hyperfunctional dysphonia, and hyperkinetic dysphonia among others.[1] MTD can be broken in two groups: primary and secondary. Primary MTD occurs without an underlying organic cause while secondary MTD occur due to an underlying organic source.[3]
MTD is more commonly diagnosed in women,[5][3] the middle aged,[2] and individuals who have high levels of stress.[1] It is also more often seen in those who use their voice often such as singers and teachers.[2]