Aphonia

/əˈfoʊniə/ noun

Definition

A medical condition where someone loses the ability to speak or produce voice, even though their hearing and understanding are normal.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'phōnē' (voice, sound), literally meaning 'without voice'; used in medical terminology since ancient times.

Kelly Says

Aphonia is fascinating because the person's brain and hearing work perfectly—they just can't make their vocal cords produce sound, which is why doctors distinguish it from deafness or intellectual disability.

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