Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s raspy voice was on full display when his high-stakes confirmation hearing got underway Wednesday — as ...

Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare neurological disorder that causes a strained voice. RFK Jr. says he has had the disorder for ...

As Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday for the confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services Secretary, some may have noticed that his voice has a raspy, strained sound.

Spasmodic dysphonia can strain an individual's ability to speak, sometimes causing their voice to sound hoarse or breathy. Humming, laughing, singing, swallowing, and crying can also be impacted.

Kennedy's condition is called spasmodic dysphonia, which is a neurologic disorder that can affect the voice and speech by causing the muscles that generate a person’s voice to go into periods of spasm ...