ScienceAugust 20, 2026
dysphonia
dis-FOH-nee-uh
Definition
A condition characterized by difficulty in speaking, often resulting in a voice that sounds hoarse, breathy, or strained due to vocal cord dysfunction.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek prefix 'dys-' meaning bad or difficult, and 'phōnē' meaning voice or sound, entering English as a medical term for impaired speech.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe 'muscle tension dysphonia,' a harmful condition caused by men straining their neck muscles to artificially lower their vocal pitch.
Scientists issue urgent warning over 'voicemaxxing' trend in which men perform 'neck crunches' to deepen their voices - amid fears it can cause permanent damage
Read the full article ↗Daily Mail