Voice overuse Functional dysphonia is the medical term for abnormalities of the voice that are not due to any underlying disorder. Typical abnormalities may include a breathy, hoarse, or rough voice; changes in the pitch, loudness, or quality of the voice; a feeling of having to strain to speak; breaks in speaking when the sound cuts out briefly; and discomfort or pain when speaking.
The most common cause of the problem is overuse of the voice. Stress may also sometimes be a factor, and smoking may make symptoms worse.
Functional dysphonia usually clears up by itself once the voice is rested. Speech therapy may be advised if the problem recurs repeatedly.