INTRODUCTION: The article reviews current opinions on etiopathogenesis and management of functional total loss of the ability to produce loud voice. Psychogenic aphonia refers to involuntary whispering despite a basically normal larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] The longitudinal study was carried out on 500 patients treated for psychogenic aphonia during 32 years (1972-2004). Of the facilitating techniques, the following were useful for phoniatric therapy: relaxation and respiration, gargle, chewing, pushing, inhalation phonation, masking, phonetic exercises. RESULTS: During the first day of vocal exercises the voice return to 410 patients (82%). The others required carrying on vocal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The basic importance of phoniatric therapy is recovering the voice during the first day of vocal exercises. Sometimes the aphonic patient profits most from symptomatic voice therapy concurrent with psychotherapy.
INTRODUCTION: The article reviews current opinions on etiopathogenesis and management of functional total loss of the ability to produce loud voice. Psychogenic aphonia refers to involuntary whispering despite a basically normal larynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] The longitudinal study was carried out on 500 patients treated for psychogenic aphonia during 32 years (1972-2004). Of the facilitating techniques, the following were useful for phoniatric therapy: relaxation and respiration, gargle, chewing, pushing, inhalation phonation, masking, phonetic exercises. RESULTS: During the first day of vocal exercises the voice return to 410 patients (82%). The others required carrying on vocal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The basic importance of phoniatric therapy is recovering the voice during the first day of vocal exercises. Sometimes the aphonic patient profits most from symptomatic voice therapy concurrent with psychotherapy.