Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder caused by a malfunction in the brain. Here’s what to know.

RFK Jr.'s raspy voice is due to spasmodic dysphonia. The neurological disorder produces muscle spasms in the voice box.

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

Spasmodic dysphonia impacts about 50,000 people in North America. Here's what to know about what causes spasmodic dysphonia and how it's treated.

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. explains why his voice sounds raspy and strained, causing difficulty when he speaks. Here's more about spasmodic dyshphonia

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has struggled for decades with a rare disorder affecting his speech, causing his voice to sound strained and raspy when he speaks.

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.

Spasmodic Dysphonia is a vocal disorder that involves sudden involuntary spasms affecting the vocal cords, causing them to stiffen and slam closed, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The most common form of the disease is known as adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare neurological disorder that causes a strained voice. RFK Jr. says he has had the disorder for decades and treats it with Botox injections, a common treatment.

In testimony to the Senate Finance Committee, Mr. Kennedy seemed to confuse the two government programs that cover more than 150 million Americans.