In patients with functional voice disorders, no organic lesions can be seen on the vocal folds during laryngoscopy and stroboscopy. In those cases, voice changes are caused by technical (functional) limitations of voice use. Mostly, falsely learned (behavioural) muscular misuse / overuse and breathing problems are major components of functional voice disorders.
Of course there is always a potential possibility of psychological influence within voice use which in extreme cases may lead to patial or total voice loss (dysphonia or aphonia). Therapeutically, in patients with functional voice disorders, having access to the entire armamentarium of voice treatment techniques we have a good chance to improve the patient’s voice.
