RESUMO
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.
