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Transgender Voice Therapy

Voice therapy can be a way for transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people to alter the tone and pitch of their voice if their voice causes them gender dysphoria, gender incongruence, or discomfort. Among other reasons, trans and non-binary people can use voice therapy to increase confidence and self-satisfaction in their communication style.  Voice therapy can be tailored to specific goals based on what feels most affirming and important to the individual.

What is Transgender Voice Therapy? 

Voice therapy encompasses a series of non-surgical interventions used to change key components of verbal speech.  With the help of a speech-language pathologist, communication therapy can help  alter the gender cues one gives  in everyday speech, and may help reduce instances of misgendering. Voice or speech therapy sessions help trans  individuals change their communication style to affirm their gender.  Approaches to treatment include working on pitch, resonance, vocal hygiene, and communication scenario roleplays.

It should be noted that testosterone as a method of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is likely to change the pitch of someone’s voice, whereas estrogen will not change vocal pitch. This is because the effects of testosterone usually impact the vocal cords enough to drop the pitch of the voice, while estrogen does not have an equivalent effect. However, the impact that hormones can have on the voice is dependent on many variables, including the age that someone started HRT, the pitch of the voice to begin with, how long someone has taken HRT, and other factors. That being said, HRT does not always impact someone’s voice, and there are voice therapy techniques that can be used regardless of how HRT does or does not affect the voice.  

Some information for this section was informed by The Robbins Center’s website.

Who can benefit from voice therapy?

Anyone, regardless of gender identity, may benefit from voice therapy. Voice therapy can be especially useful for transgender or nonbinary people who feel dysphoric or uncomfortable with their voice.

How do I start voice therapy?

Because there are so many different options when it comes to voice therapy, we recommend contacting a provider to get started. While there are many trans folks who discuss and offer guidance for transgender voice and speech therapy on YouTube and other online platforms, everyone who has decided to undergo voice therapy starts off in a unique place and has specific desired goals and outcomes. Online platforms might be a helpful place to start, but finding a provider who can tailor voice therapy interventions to your needs is your best bet. 

To find a provider who can work with you, we recommend the WPATH provider search tool. WPATH’s provider search can also help you find a provider who specializes in many other gender-affirming medical, behavioral, educational, and mental health fields. 

What is voice surgery?

Voice fold surgery is a surgical intervention used to alter a person’s voice. Voice therapy is often required as a prerequisite to surgery. Otolaryngologists who subspecialize in laryngology may attempt vocal fold surgery techniques to achieve results that previous voice therapy could not. Typically, vocal surgeries to raise the pitch of the voice are more common. There are several pitch-raising techniques that surgeons may use. Pitch lowering  surgeries, while less common, are also possible. Voice surgery is not for everyone and carries a considerable amount of risk. GCC  does not perform voice surgeries, so you can start by talking to  your primary care provider  (PCP) about whether or not you think this is the right choice for you.

In Summary

•  Voice therapy is a vastly broad topic that encompasses a range of interventions.
• Anyone who feels gender dysphoria or discomfort associated with their voice can  benefit from voice  therapy.
• Voice surgery is a less common intervention for dissatisfaction that may be worth pursuing if voice therapy does not help you meet your goals. GCC does not perform voice surgery.
• You can search for a speech-language pathologist or vocal surgeon using the WPATH provider search tool.