What is the term for a voice change due to a problem with the larynx or vocal cords?

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The term that describes a voice change due to a problem with the larynx or vocal cords is dysphonia. Dysphonia refers to any alteration in the quality, pitch, tone, or volume of the voice, which can occur due to a variety of issues affecting the laryngeal structure, the vocal cords, or related neurological processes.

Dysphonia can manifest as hoarseness, which is a specific type of voice change characterized by a rough or raspy voice. While hoarseness may be commonly understood and used in everyday language, it is more of a symptom than a direct medical term. Aphonia, on the other hand, refers to a complete loss of voice, making it distinct from dysphonia, which only implies a change rather than total loss. Stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating obstruction in the airway, typically heard during inhalation, and is not primarily a description of voice quality but rather a sound associated with respiratory distress.

Overall, dysphonia encompasses a broader range of voice changes, making it the correct term to specify when laryngeal or vocal cord issues result in any alteration to the voice.