Tremor: Tremor of the throat or vocal cords can cause changes that make the voice sound “shaky” or unsteady, and it may overlap with the diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia. Tremor may occur in the muscles of the throat or vocal cords alone but often is part of a systemic tremor that affects the neck, hands, arms or legs.

What causes a wavering voice?

Spasmodic dysphonia, or laryngeal dystonia, is a disorder affecting the voice muscles in the larynx, also called the voice box. When you speak, air from your lungs is pushed between two elastic structures—called vocal folds—causing them to vibrate and produce your voice.

What does quivering voice mean?

A quavering voice is shaky and a little unclear. People's voices are often quavering when they're tired or afraid. If you're about to cry, you might speak in a quavering voice. Quavering voices are a little bit pitiful. When someone's voice quavers, it becomes unsteady, a little like a stutter.