The Internet Lit Up Over ‘Horrifying’ Breathing Noises During RFK Jr.’s Senate Hearing. Here’s What Health Experts Want You To Know

While it’s still not fully clear what caused the viral moment that people reacted to, experts say it’s important to understand the health condition involved before jumping to conclusions.

For those who follow U.S. politics, it’s already known that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long-standing voice disorder that affects how he speaks. His speech can sometimes sound strained, uneven, or broken, which can be surprising to people who are not familiar with the condition.

The disorder is called spasmodic dysphonia. It affects the muscles in the vocal cords, causing them to tighten or spasm suddenly while a person is talking. When this happens, the voice may cut in and out, sound tight, or become difficult to control. According to speech expert Gwen Merrick, the problem comes from the way the brain communicates with the muscles. The signals are not steady, so the muscles react unpredictably, leading to interruptions in speech.

This is not something that comes and goes quickly. Kennedy has lived with it for decades. He first noticed something was wrong with his voice back in 1996 when he was teaching law in New York. At the time, the change was gradual, but over the years it became more noticeable.

Because of his role in the administration of Donald Trump, his condition often becomes a public talking point. Recently, during a Senate hearing, people noticed unusual breathing sounds coming through his microphone while others were speaking. Some viewers online reacted strongly, even describing it as disturbing.

However, experts were quick to point out that spasmodic dysphonia does not affect breathing. It is a speech-related condition, not a breathing disorder. Merrick explained that many people who have it can breathe normally and quietly. This means the sounds people heard likely came from something else, though no clear explanation has been confirmed.

What makes this condition more complicated is that doctors still don’t fully understand what causes it. There is no single known trigger. Some cases appear to be linked to stress or trauma, but that is not always the case. It often develops in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and tends to affect women more than men. In many people, it starts off mildly, becomes worse over time, and then reaches a point where it stays stable.

Living with this condition can also be mentally challenging. People who have it may feel anxious about speaking, especially in public or high-pressure situations. That anxiety can actually make the symptoms worse, creating a cycle where fear of speaking increases the difficulty of speaking.

Diagnosis is another challenge. Kimberly Kuman explained that there is no simple medical test, like a blood test or scan, that can confirm it. Doctors usually rely on listening carefully to the person’s voice and identifying the pattern of breaks and strain. Because of this, the condition is sometimes misdiagnosed or confused with other voice problems.

Even though it is not extremely common, tens of thousands of people in the United States are believed to have it. For those affected, treatment is available, but it does not completely cure the condition.

One of the most common treatments is Botox injections. These injections help relax the muscles in the vocal cords, reducing the spasms and making speech smoother. However, the effects are temporary and usually last only a few months, meaning patients need regular treatment. Kennedy himself said he received these injections for about 10 years. After each treatment, he would temporarily lose his voice, but it would return after a few days, often sounding clearer than before.

In search of a longer-term solution, Kennedy underwent surgery in Japan in 2022. Doctors inserted a small titanium bridge between his vocal cords to stop them from pressing too tightly together. He later said that his voice improved after the procedure, although the surgery is not currently available in the United States.

Speech therapy is another important part of managing the condition. Specialists like Merrick work with patients to improve breathing control, reduce tension, and find ways to speak more comfortably. Interestingly, trying too hard to speak clearly can actually make the spasms worse, so therapy often focuses on relaxing the voice rather than forcing it.

Beyond the physical symptoms, the condition can have a deep impact on a person’s life. It can affect their confidence, their ability to communicate in social settings, and even their career, especially if their job involves speaking. Some people may avoid conversations or public situations altogether because of how their voice sounds.