Most people take their voice for granted. But for many people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), speaking for even short periods can feel exhausting. This voice weakness, strain, or loss of clarity is called dysphonia — and research suggests it affects 30–40% of people with MS at some stage of the disease.

Dysphonia is more than an inconvenience. It can interfere with communication, social interaction, and quality of life. Understanding why it happens — and what can help — is an important step in managing this hidden symptom.

Why Dysphonia Happens in MS

Speech is one of the most complex motor tasks humans perform. It requires tight coordination between the brain, cranial nerves, respiratory system, laryngeal muscles (voice box), and articulators (tongue, lips, soft palate). In MS, damage along any part of these pathways can disrupt this process.

The main contributors include: