When to define a voice as dysphonic?

Starting from Moore’s statement that “it is obvious that there is no single type of sound that can be defined as a normal voice: there are voices of children, teenagers, boys, girls, men, women, elderly people,” the boundary between a normal and non-normal voice is judged by each observer based on cultural, educational, environmental, and vocal knowledge factors.

Wherever that line is drawn between what is normal and what is pathological, it is clear that everyone develops their own idea of what constitutes a normal or pathological voice.

For these reasons, speaking with a normal voice means speaking with the following qualities:

• a pleasant timbre

• an appropriate pitch

• a suitable volume

• correct variations in pitch and volume (which enhance expression)

It is this flexibility, along with rhythm (known as prosody), that — beyond the mere sound of the voice — allows us to understand a person’s emotional state.

We speak of a voice disorder, or what is often called a pathological voice or dysphonic voice, when elements such as timbre, pitch, intensity, or flexibility are not in harmony with those of other people of the same sex, age, and/or cultural background.

For example, this could involve a pitch that is inappropriate for the speaker’s gender, a vocal intensity that is either too high or too low, an unpleasant timbre, or a lack of flexibility between pitch and intensity.

A dysphonic voice is often equated with a hoarse voice, from which many specific voice quality descriptors can be derived: metallic, breathy, monotone, harsh, guttural, nasal, and so on — depending on the particular vocal characteristics.

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Valentina Carlile - Osteopath specializing in Osteopathy for Voice and Speech Disorders since 2002. For information and bookings, visit the Contact page.

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