Transmasculine people's voice function based on data from 50 participants

In the last 15 years, there has been a steady increase in voice research conducted with transmasculine people assigned female sex at birth but who do not identify with this classification. Most studies have focused on... [ view full abstract ]

In the last 15 years, there has been a steady increase in voice research conducted with transmasculine people assigned female sex at birth but who do not identify with this classification. Most studies have focused on investigating effects of testosterone treatment on transmasculine people’s voice pitch and on their vocal gender presentation more generally. There is, however, only a limited number of studies investigating transmasculine people’s voice function, i.e. their capacity to produce an efficient vocal output, characterized e.g. by adequate pitch variability, vocal intensity and voice quality.

To investigate voice function, voice problems and voice satisfaction in transmasculine people during 2 years of testosterone treatment. [ view full abstract ]

To investigate voice function, voice problems and voice satisfaction in transmasculine people during 2 years of testosterone treatment.

Fifty transmasculine persons (aged 18-64 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of gender dysphoria agreed to participate in the study. Voice data were collected before the start of testosterone treatment and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and... [ view full abstract ]

Fifty transmasculine persons (aged 18-64 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of gender dysphoria agreed to participate in the study. Voice data were collected before the start of testosterone treatment and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Voice assessments included self-ratings of voice function and perceived voice problems and digital audio recordings of habitual and loud speaking voice (shown as speech range profiles, SRP), and of the physiological voice range (voice range profile, VRP). Habitual voice was recorded during reading and narrating a picture story and loud voice during reading in 70 dB pink noise presented in head-phones. The software programs Soundswell and Phog (Neovius Data and Signalsystem AB, Lidingö, Sweden) were used for recordings and analyses.

The following variables were extracted: Participants’ self-ratings of satisfaction with voice and voice problems experienced during speech, lowest and highest F0 (from SRP and VRP), habitual speaking range and physiological... [ view full abstract ]

The following variables were extracted: Participants’ self-ratings of satisfaction with voice and voice problems experienced during speech, lowest and highest F0 (from SRP and VRP), habitual speaking range and physiological voice range in Hz and semitones (ST), average sound pressure level, SPL in dB (from SRP), lowest and highest SPL (from SRP and VRP) and VRP area (ST*dB).

Voice satisfaction increased significantly up to 6 months during testosterone treatment. Twenty-four percent of the participants reported voice problems i.e. vocal instability, strained voice and hoarseness. Limited pitch... [ view full abstract ]

Voice satisfaction increased significantly up to 6 months during testosterone treatment. Twenty-four percent of the participants reported voice problems i.e. vocal instability, strained voice and hoarseness. Limited pitch range/variability based on data from VRP’s was found for 30 percent of the participants compared to reference data for cisgender male speakers. Average speaking SPL did not change significantly during treatment. Restrictions to vocal power compared to reference values for SRP’s and VRP’s were found for all participants.
 

About a fourth of the participants reported problems with their voice function and a majority of the participants had restrictions in the areas pitch variability/ range, and vocal power. Therefore, we strongly recommend... [ view full abstract ]

About a fourth of the participants reported problems with their voice function and a majority of the participants had restrictions in the areas pitch variability/ range, and vocal power. Therefore, we strongly recommend systematic voice assessments for transmasculine people before and during testosterone treatment for at least the first year to detect those who might need voice therapy. More research regarding transmasculine people’s voice function is needed.