Voice Changes due to Puberty in Teenagers

In this article we will understand about voice changes due to puberty in teenagers.  

Teenagers with phonotrauma

Your voice affects your ability to speak clearly. Teenagers are vulnerable to “phonotrauma” and other voice disorders in addition to the vocal changes associated with puberty. Teenagers (and even younger children) frequently abuse their voices by yelling or making loud noises, clearing their throats, and coughing excessively. These behaviours can lead to “phonotrauma,” a condition in which the vocal folds close in on themselves, causing blister-like bruises. As a result, the voice becomes hoarse.

The Human Voice Box’s Evolution

The larynx, or voice box, assists us in speaking and protects our breathing. Furthermore, our bodies change as we age. Physical changes occur in both boys and girls during puberty. Similarly, there are differences in the larynx. During adolescence, it expands and thickens. During childhood, the vocal cords are usually 2mm long. However, as children grow older, their vocal cords grow 10mm in girls and 16mm in boys. What exactly does this mean? This means that the deeper the voice, the longer the vocal cord.

The facial bones expand, allowing more sound to resonate. In other words, because males have longer vocal cords and more resonance space, they sound “deeper” or “manly.” Female cords, on the other hand, do not increase in length significantly, so only a subtle difference is visible.

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What is Men’s Adam’s Apple?

The laryngeal prominence is another name for the Adam’s Apple. Furthermore, it is the cartilage that covers the larynx. This is visible as a bulging prominence in men’s necks. It is commonly referred to as Adam’s apple, after the story of the forbidden fruit told by Adam and Eve. This laryngeal cartilage also protects the voice box from injury. Men have a larger larynx, which is visible in the neck region.

Why does the voice change?

While your body adjusts to these changes, your voice may become difficult to control. A man’s voice “cracks” or “breaks” as his body adjusts to the changing size of his larynx. Thankfully, the cracking and breaking are only temporary. It typically lasts only a few months. And even then, your voice will not crack every time you speak.
Some guys’ voices may fade gradually, while others may fade quickly.

You may be worried, stressed, or embarrassed about the sound of your voice, but most people understand — especially friends or brothers who have been through it themselves. Everyone experiences it, and once it occurs, it takes some time to adjust to your larger larynx and the new sound of your voice.

The anatomical changes in the vocal cords and larynx have already been mentioned. But why does the voice change during puberty? During puberty, testosterone levels in boys rise. The larynx lengthens and thickens as a result of this. Females, on the other hand, do not notice this change. The influence of oestrogen and progesterone on girls makes them sound feminine.

When does the tone of voice change?

In most cases, the voice begins to change between the ages of 12 and 13. The voice change in boys occurs between the ages of 15 and 18. If your son’s voice hasn’t changed, that’s a red flag! A boy must have a deep male voice by the age of 18.

When Should You Expect Voice Changes?

Voice transformations do not occur in a vacuum. Increased testosterone levels during puberty cause numerous changes in the body, not just the voice.

However, the timing of voice changes during puberty is important because it occurs at a specific point during the overall changes that are taking place. When boys are between Tanner stages 3 and 4, their voices change. Tanner stages are the physical changes in a boy’s genitalia that occur during puberty. Your doctor determines your son’s Tanner Stage, so feel free to inquire about his puberty status at his next checkup. It may give you a hint if a voice change is on the way.

When your son’s voice stops changing, his growth spurt begins to slow. This procedure can take two to three years to complete.