Aphonia means a state of complete loss of voice, when a person is unable to produce sounds using the vocal apparatus. This may be associated with both organic causes, such as damage to the structures of the vocal apparatus, and functional (neuropsychological) problems, including those that have a psychological basis. Types of aphonia differ depending on their causes; they may include conditions associated with inflammatory processes in the throat, allergies, hormonal changes, neurological disorders, stress, as well as occupational voice overuse.
Thus, aphonia may be temporary, arising, for example, as a result of acute inflammation of the larynx, or it may become chronic with long-term exposure to unfavorable factors or untreated diseases. Diagnosis and treatment of aphonia depend on identifying and addressing its underlying cause, which may require a comprehensive approach including medical, phoniatric, and psychological methods.
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