Don’t Be Outed By Your Voice!
1.5 Million Americans Identify as Transgender…Don’t Be Outed By Your Voice!
by Marc Mitnick, MS, CCC-SLP, Board certified and licensed Speech, Language and Voice Pathologist, Director, Your Speech Therapist, Inc.
According to a UCLA study in 2011, it was reported that there are at least 1.5 million Americans who identify as transgender with a projected increase to 2.3 million today. Many MTF transgender individuals may dress in their true genders, but are outed by their voices. Working with a certified speech pathologist who is board certified and licensed by the American Speech and Hearing Association [ASHA] who works with the TG population to bring their voices in line with their true gender identity, thereby reducing the risk of being ‘outed.’
Vocal folds.
The Speech Pathologist [SLP] will work with the client on all aspects of their communication, both verbal and non verbal by modifying their pitch, intonation [how your voice goes up and down during conversation] , resonance, precise articulation, rate, volume and inflection. The SLP will also advise the client on whole body communication, which would include external markers such as make-up, clothing and gestures. Some other interventions for FTM’s for voice modification would be to take hormones that will thicken the vocal cords and deepen the voice;, whereas, MTF’s adults taking hormones will not feminize their voices. If the FTM child before puberty starts to take hormones, their secondary male characteristics do not develop and their voices are usually stay in the feminine or androgynous range [gender neutral]. Vocal fold (cord) surgery shortens the vocal cords which reduces their vibration ability and creates a more feminine voice but with risks of developing swallowing problems when eating and drinking as well as other dangerous side effects.
When analyzing pitch (how high your voice goes) range, voice is perceived as female when it is 160 Hz (the vibrations of the vocal cords). Voices below 155 Hz are perceived as male. Most men speak on average at 110-120 Hz. You can measure this by buying a guitar tuner or find a voice pitch app for your iPhone online. Clinical measurement at a speech and language center will use a Visi-Pitch. If your voice is between 155-160 Hz you will have achieved an androgynous or gender neutral voice. Voices in the 210-220 Hz range is considered female. Their is an overlap between a low-pitched female voice and a higher pitched male voice.
Men speak in a more monotone voice, whereas females modulate their intonation and speak in a rising/falling pitch pattern [almost a sing song voice quality going high to low pitches in a sentence]. Men speak from their chests, while women speak from the face and they can feel the vibration produced by sounds that bounce throughout the facial spaces of the cheeks, sinuses, nose. Voice needs to move up from the vibration made by voice in the chest to having the vibration move to the face. Women speak more precisely when producing vowels and consonants, whereas men frequently slur their words.
Remember, “Every person has the right to ‘express’ their true gender identity without being outed!”
Mr. Mitnick is available for consultation and therapy in Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Florida. His practice is in the SunServe offices Wilton Manors. FL, To schedule an appointment or to have a complimentary phone consultation CALL: 954-687-4631
For more information on transgender voice modification therapy, email Mr. Mitnick or visit his voice improvement website.
Category: Transgender Body & Soul
About the Author (Author Profile)
Marc Mitnick, MS, CCC-SLP, Board certified and licensed Speech, Language and Voice Pathologist, Director, Your Speech Therapist, Inc.Subscribe
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