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Table 2. Definition of Common Terms
Term Definition
Dysphonia Altered vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that
impairs communication as assessed by a clinician and/or
affects quality of life.
Hoarseness A symptom of altered voice quality reported by patients.
Worsened Voice-
related Quality of Life
(QOL)
Self-perceived decrement in function; or a decline in economic
status, as a result of voice-related dysfunction.
Dysarthria A speech disorder due to impaired movement of the structures
used for speech production, including the lips, tongue, and
complex musculature involved in articulation.
Dyspnea Difficult or labored breathing, shortness of breath.
Dysphagia Disordered or impaired swallowing.
Laryngoscopy Term used to describe visualization of larynx. Unless
otherwise specified, its use in this guideline refers to indirect
laryngoscopy (visualization of the larynx), which can be done
by several methods including mirror examination, rigid rod-
lens telescope examination, rigid rod-lens telescope, flexible
fiber optic or flexible distal chip scopes. Each laryngoscopy
technique has specific diagnostic indications.
Stroboscopy Advanced laryngeal imaging designed to visualize vocal fold
vibratory abnormalities that cannot be appreciated using
continuous light laryngoscopy. It uses a synchronized flashing
light that passes through a laryngoscope.
