Versions
- 2025-01-31 (2)
- 2025-01-31 (1)
Keywords
Voice masculinization
Transgender voice
How to Cite
Abstract
The human voice plays a critical role in gender expression for transgender individuals. Speech-language pathology interventions provide effective methods for feminizing or masculinizing the voice, either independently or alongside medical treatments. However, these techniques are relatively unknown in Costa Rica. This article aims to inform about voice therapy to help transgender people achieve desired vocal characteristics and update on strategies for personalized intervention. The approach includes medical (hormonal and surgical) and therapeutic aspects, since voice therapists must understand the implications of the medical intervention in order to adapt the strategies effectively. This review draws on 23 articles published between 2017 and 2023. The findings highlight the significance of fundamental frequency, the impact of voice on quality of life, and the influence of formants or resonance. However, there is a lack of research on prosody, articulation, and non-verbal communication. The study concludes that voice therapy, whether independent or combined with hormonal or surgical treatments, yields positive outcomes, with the combined approach showing the most promise.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rebeca Viales-Montero, Ariela Acuña-Sequeira, Marcela Hernández-Córdoba, Rebeca Pérez-Quesada, Jennifer Ávila-Cambronero