TRANSFEMININE SPEAKERS:

Voice feminization is one of the most commonly sought gender-affirming voice care services for transgender individuals. This is typical because those assigned males at birth (AMAB), who have gone through puberty, have had lengthening and thickening of their vocal folds that is irreversible without surgery. It is important to understand that for transwomen going through hormone therapy alone will not change their voice. This is not the case for transmasculine speakers.

There are many ways one can modify their speech to be perceived as more feminine. Research has been conducted on speech to determine what listeners deem as feminine-perceived speech in various situations. The following outlines the main vocal qualities that have been found to typically cause a listener to identify a speaker as female.

PITCH:

The pitch of someone’s voice is determined by physiological factors such as the tension of the vocal cords. A higher pitch is the most commonly brought forth goal by transfeminine speakers. While the pitch is not the only feature used to achieve a more feminine-sounding voice, it is often one of the most important ones. Studies show that the average cisgender feminine speaking pitch is about an octave higher than the average cisgender masculine speaking pitch. Therefore, working with a trained clinician for Transgender voice therapy to achieve a higher voice pitch can be a key component of the transition process toward an authentic voice.

If you are someone who is AMAB and has gone through puberty, the hormone testosterone has caused physical changes that thicken the vocal folds and thus deepened the voice. These physical changes are irreversible without surgery, such as voice feminization surgery. Suppressing the hormone testosterone and taking estrogen as part of hormone therapy will not change the voice, but Transgender voice therapy sessions can help you learn to use the muscles of the voice to adjust pitch so that your voice sounds higher. It is important to learn to do this in an efficient and healthy way from a trained clinician so that you do not cause vocal fatigue or lasting vocal injuries, ensuring vocal health.

RESONANCE:

The definition of resonance is the reverberation of sound in space. When humans speak, resonance occurs in our chest, neck, and head. If you naturally have a larger head and neck, your voice may naturally sound large and full and booming. If you have a smaller head and neck, your voice may sound smaller and younger. A commonly used analogy is the difference in sound between a violin and a cello. They are very similar instruments but with different body sizes, making the same note on each instrument sound different (due to resonance). Fortunately, resonance is not only created by our born bodily features. We can also shift where the reverberation of the voice is most prominent by how we shape our throat and mouth, which is a key element of Transgender voice therapy. Having a brighter, smaller, more forward resonance can give a sound that is more often deemed feminine, regardless of pitch, thus influencing gender perception.

OTHER:

In addition to resonance and pitch, various other communication characteristics can be modified, such as articulation, intonation, loudness level, non-verbal communication choices, and word choice. Addressing these vocal qualities with a skilled voice therapist can improve the overall quality of life and communication for gender-diverse clients seeking Transgender voice therapy.

TRANSMASCULINE SPEAKERS:

AFAB individuals (individuals assigned female at birth) who identify as transgender men may choose to undergo testosterone hormone therapy as part of their transition process. Testosterone therapy can cause the vocal folds to thicken, resulting in a lower-pitched voice that is more congruent with a cisgender male’s typical pitch range. This change in vocal pitch is generally irreversible and occurs within the first 6-12 months of therapy. While voice therapy may be less commonly sought out by transmasculine individuals than transfeminine individuals, it can still be beneficial in helping patients develop their communication style and vocal characteristics.

Due to this effect of testosterone on the voice, voice therapy for individuals wishing to masculinize their voice tends to be less sought out. But it is not without its benefits.

Speech pathologists who specialize in transgender voice therapy can assist individuals in developing a more masculine communication style. Along with the pitch, like with voice feminization, other vocal characteristics such as resonance, articulation, nonverbal communication, and loudness level can be modified to create a more authentic voice that better aligns with an individual’s gender identity. By working with a speech pathologist, transmasculine individuals can improve their vocal health and overall quality of life.

NON-BINARY AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING SPEAKERS:

If you are an individual who does not feel that your gender aligns with either female or male and you wish for your voice to reflect a non-binary self, understanding the various aspects of voice that are in traditionally gender-based norms in communication and learning to control your vocal instrument is the most effective way to find a voice that feels congruent with your identity. Some gender-diverse people may want to be able to sound more feminine in some settings and more masculine in other settings. The vocal instrument is amazing and understanding how to “play” it correctly will allow you the freedom to be fluid with your vocal presentation.

TELEHEALTH

Gender-Affirming Voice Telehealth

Advantages of telehealth:
-Eliminates the need for travel
-Can be more cost-effective
-Saves time
-Can be conducted anywhere
-Improves access to care

Telehealth services can be delivered in several different formats. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines these services as:

Synchronous — Services are conducted with real-time audio and/or video connection to create an experience similar to that achieved in an in-person traditional encounter. Synchronous services may include, for example, connecting a client or a group of clients with a clinician, or they may include consultation between a clinician and a specialist. Telehealth visits, virtual check-ins, e-visits, or virtual consultations are examples of synchronous services.

Asynchronous — Information, images, video, or data are saved and transmitted for viewing or interpretation at a later time. Examples include transmission of voice clips, audiology testing results, patient education materials, or outcomes of independent client practice. Store-and-forward or chat-based interactions are examples of asynchronous services.

Hybrid — A combination of synchronous, asynchronous, remote patient monitoring (e.g., wearable sensors, mobile apps), and/or in-person services are implemented to meet the needs of the individual client. An example includes using an online or a mobile app to share asynchronous information between the client and the clinician between synchronous in-person or virtual sessions.

At Becker ENT, we generally use a synchronous or hybrid approach.

Acoustics

Research has shown that acoustic measurements can be measured accurately via a telehealth interface. The use of an interface will vary by organization and may also vary by the patient and/or SLP internet connection. Some commonly used interfaces include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, and Google Hangouts. Additionally, medical providers often use HIPPA-compliant interfaces including Doxy or BlueJeans so patient information remains protected.
Environment

It is important to conduct a telehealth session in a safe and quiet environment. For safety reasons, your provider may ask where you are conducting the session in case of an emergency.
To ensure you get the most out of your appointment, it is best to conduct the session in a quiet, well-lit private space. This will ensure minimal distractions. If you are conducting the session somewhere outside of your home, please be sure you are stationary and with a good internet connection.

Your SLP will walk you through the steps of each exercise from the comfort of your own home. So long as you have a stable internet connection, effective and efficient healthcare is just a click away!

SINGING VOICE

GENDER-AFFIRMING SINGING VOICE CARE

Do you want to be able to sing higher or lower? Maybe you want to sing without tension and strain? Perhaps your goal is to develop a different vocal register/mode, and you have never sung in M1 (chest voice) or M2 (head voice/falsetto) before and want to develop these areas.  Or do you want your singing voice to sound more gender-neutral, fluid, masculine, feminine, or just more aligned with your gender identity?

We can help with that!