Spasmodic dysphonia is considered a task-specific type of dystonia, which means it affects regular speech. It’s less likely to impact other types of vocal activities, Frankford says, including laughing, crying, whispering, and sometimes even singing.

As RFK Jr. appears on Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing for HHS Secretary, some may notice that his voice sounds raspy and strained. Here's what to know about his disorder.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known to the world as RFK Jr. for short, suffers from "spasmodic dysphonia, a specific form of an involuntary movement disorder called dystonia that affects only the voice box," ABC News has reported.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29, as he seeks confirmation as the nation's health secretary. Ahead of his confirmation hearing, articles about the sound of his voice and his spasmodic dysphonia have been in the news. This is what you need to know about the condition.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s raspy voice was on full display when his high-stakes confirmation hearing got underway Wednesday — as lawmakers grilled President Trump’s controversial pick to

People notice that RFK Jr.'s voice sounds gravely, raspy, weak, broken and 'strangled.' He was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a neurolgoical condition impacting vocal cords.

Viewers tuning into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate confirmation hearings to become the leader of the Department of Health and Human Services this week may have noticed his raspy voice, which is caused by a rare neurological disorder.