Male-to-female transsexuals, who have
undergone gender reassignment surgery, may continue to have low pitched
voices.
Voice therapy may assist them to use their
voice in a manner more likely to be perceived as female but, if this
approach is unsuccessful, a laryngeal framework operation may be necessary
to raise vocal pitch.
This study assessed the effects of crico-thyroid
approximation surgery in 14 transsexuals. Modal pitch was significantly
increased by surgery but with substantial variation across speakers.
Modal pitch was significantly correlated
with judgements of gender by speech and language therapists who listened to
tapes of the subjects.
The results suggest that crico-thyroid
approximation may be used to raise the pitch of voices of male-to-female
transsexuals.
Further research is needed to clarify the
reasons for the variability in outcome, to monitor the longer-term changes
in voice and the impact for clients of their modified voice in real life
situations.
Citation:
City University, London, UK.
