dysphonia
noun
dys·pho·nia dis-ˈfō-nē-ə 
: defective use of the voice
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The exact cause of spasmodic dysphonia isn't totally understood. 
Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Feb. 2019 Twain revealed in 2011 that she was diagnosed with dysphonia, a disorder of the vocal chords characterized by hoarseness and difficulty speaking—part of the reason for her silence these past 15 years. Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, 16 Feb. 2017 Spasmodic dysphonia is a condition affecting the muscles of the larynx. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Feb. 2019 Twain, who has been open about her struggle with regaining her vocal strength after a battle with Lyme disease resulting in dysphonia, sounded rested and clear. Jessi Roti, chicagotribune.com, 20 May 2018 Krauss had been suffering from vocal problems around that time, and went on hiatus in September 2013, citing a condition called dysphonia. Mary Colurso, AL.com, 20 Feb. 2018 Another possibility was spasmodic dysphonia, a condition in which spasms of the vocal cords affect speech. Manuel Roig-franzia, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2017 What Mr. Hancock initially dismissed as a sore throat was diagnosed as spasmodic dysphonia, an incurable neurological condition that causes spasms in the vocal cords and is made worse by stress. Jennifer Van Allen, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2016 See More
Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Feb. 2019 Twain revealed in 2011 that she was diagnosed with dysphonia, a disorder of the vocal chords characterized by hoarseness and difficulty speaking—part of the reason for her silence these past 15 years. Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, 16 Feb. 2017 Spasmodic dysphonia is a condition affecting the muscles of the larynx. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 27 Feb. 2019 Twain, who has been open about her struggle with regaining her vocal strength after a battle with Lyme disease resulting in dysphonia, sounded rested and clear. Jessi Roti, chicagotribune.com, 20 May 2018 Krauss had been suffering from vocal problems around that time, and went on hiatus in September 2013, citing a condition called dysphonia. Mary Colurso, AL.com, 20 Feb. 2018 Another possibility was spasmodic dysphonia, a condition in which spasms of the vocal cords affect speech. Manuel Roig-franzia, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2017 What Mr. Hancock initially dismissed as a sore throat was diagnosed as spasmodic dysphonia, an incurable neurological condition that causes spasms in the vocal cords and is made worse by stress. Jennifer Van Allen, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2016 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin dysphōnia, probably from dys- dys- + -phōnia (in euphōnia euphony)
Note: Alternatively, the New Latin word could be borrowed from Greek dysphōnía "roughness of sound."
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
dysphonia
noun
dys·pho·nia dis-ˈfō-nē-ə
: defective use of the voice