top of page

Spasmodic Dysphonia? Vocal Tremor? Muscle Tension Dysphonia? How do we tell them apart?

Updated: May 14, 2021

Differentiating Spasmodic Dysphonia from Related Voice Conditions

Often times, spasmodic dysphonia can mimic or present similarly to other disorders, in addition to possibly co-occurring with other disorders, like vocal tremor or muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Individuals may try to compensate for spasmodic dysphonia symptoms, which may result in increased strain/muscle tension and result in secondary MTD. Symptoms of MTD may even mimic those of SD. Additionally, symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia vary highly both within and between individuals. All of these factors make it challenging to accurately diagnose spasmodic dysphonia and to differentially diagnose these three voice disorders. Below are some differences between spasmodic dysphonia, MTD, and tremor.



Voice therapy can help to relieve symptoms of compensatory MTD and can make speaking with vocal tremor or spasmodic dysphonia easier.


Botox can be helpful for many. Check out this post to learn more about Botox for spasmodic dysphonia or vocal tremor.


Want to learn more about management of neurological disorders? Join my email list! (Wait for the Lightbox to pop up on the home page few seconds, enter your info and see you on the other side) or email me here.


And if you're a patient, join my Facebook group for those with spasmodic dysphonia or vocal tremor!



#Spasmodicdysphonia #MuscleTensionDysphonia #Tremor #Differentialdiagnosis


309 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

What does a day in the life look like for a voice SLP in both a hospital and private practice (during COVID)? Monday: Wake up 6 am. Get ready for my hospital job. 6:45 am: Leave to walk to work: Think

“Voice therapy hasn't worked for me”. I’ve heard this a LOT. And often times, when I probe further I come to the conclusion of well, in that situation, “duh it didn’t work!” Neurological Voice Disorde

bottom of page