My Voice Keeps Cracking: Is It Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Some of the causes of voice cracking are pretty well known. If you hear a crack in a teen boy, you’ll probably attribute it to puberty. If someone’s voice cracks while they’re giving a big presentation, you can probably chalk it up to nerves. 

If you’re dealing with persistent cracking and you can’t attribute it to anything else, though, it could be a problem with your voice box. That’s particularly true if you’re dealing with other symptoms like your voice sounding strained or breathy. 

Matthew W. Shawl, MD, specializes in voice issues, so he can help you figure out what’s going on. Regular cracking or breaking could be a sign that you have a specific condition like spasmodic dysphonia. At our New York City office in Union Square, Dr. Shawl uses diagnostic tools to evaluate your throat and get to the root of the problem.

Understanding spasmodic dysphonia and its symptoms

Spasmodic dysphonia is a condition that affects your voice box (the larynx), causing involuntary spasms. It comes in a few different forms:

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia

With this larynx problem, you experience spasms that cause your vocal cords to stiffen, resulting in a strained voice. They can also slam shut, causing a crack in your voice. 

These spasms make talking difficult, but you might notice it’s easier to get the words out if you whisper, sing, or speak while inhaling.  

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia is the most common form of this condition. 

Abductor spasmodic dysphonia

With this form of spasmodic dysphonia, the vocal cords spasm open. That limits their ability to vibrate, making your voice sound breathy. You might struggle to be heard. Again, signing the words can help you communicate. 

Mixed spasmodic dysphonia

This form of the voice condition combines adductor and abductor symptoms, meaning you can have cracking with mixed spasmodic dysphonia. That said, it’s very rare. 

All forms of spasmodic dysphonia often come on during the middle of a person’s life. If you’re past 30 and you’ve been noticing these changes in your voice, come see Dr. Shawl. 

Diagnosing and treating spasmodic dysphonia

You need to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor like Dr. Shawl to get diagnosed. The process starts with Dr. Shawl listening to your voice, going through your medical history, and completing a physical exam. 

He might also have you perform some vocal tests or use additional tools like a laryngoscopy. That’s a long, thin tube with a light and a camera at the end. By passing that through your nose into your voice box, Dr. Shawl can see how your vocal cords move.

If you get diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, Dr. Shawl works with you to develop a plan to manage your symptoms, including your voice cracks. That might mean voice therapy, Botox® injections in your vocal cords, or surgery. 

If you think you might have spasms in your larynx, don’t hesitate to come see Dr. Shawl. To figure out what’s causing your voice to crack, call us or book your visit online today.