Voice Thickening (Type 3 Thyroplasty (Relaxation Thyroplasty))
How is Our Voice Tone (Thickness - Thinness and Timbre) Formed?
Our vocal cords vibrate with the airflow from our lungs to produce sound. The tone and timbre of the sound involve structures beyond just the vocal cords. The sound waves created by our vocal cords shape as they interact with structures such as the throat, tongue, teeth, and palate. This interaction results in a complex but harmonious sound, similar to a multi-voiced piece of an orchestra. This harmony is the foundation of our voice’s timbre.
The pitch of our voice is determined by the speed at which our vocal cords vibrate. A rapidly vibrating vocal cord produces a high-pitched sound, while a slowly vibrating vocal cord produces a low-pitched sound. This vibration speed can be measured using specialized endoscopes and voice analysis. If the vocal cords vibrate within the range of 80-140 Hz, it is considered a male voice; if within the range of 180-240 Hz, it is considered a female voice.
What is Voice Thickening?
Having a voice that is incongruent with one’s gender, appearance, image, and body structure can affect a person in many ways in daily life. Patients often find that they are perceived as female, especially over the phone, due to their voice. In interactions with banks or emergency services, they may be addressed as “madam,” and sometimes their requests are not processed because they are mistaken for someone else by customer service representatives.
Patients in professions that require presentations or rely on speaking and communication may face issues in their work lives. They might experience delays in promotions and be unable to work in desired positions. Additionally, concerns about their voice not matching their perceived gender can negatively impact the romantic relationships they are trying to establish.
Who is Voice Thickening Surgery Suitable For?
Voice thickening surgery can be performed on all patients experiencing one or more of the issues listed above. While this procedure is most commonly performed on male patients, it can also be applied to female patients with very high-pitched voices or transgender men for whom hormone therapy has proven insufficient.
How is Voice Thickening Surgery Performed?
Voice thickening surgery is a surgical treatment that reduces the tension of the vocal cords to make the voice perceived as thicker and lower in frequency. During the procedure, the cartilage where the vocal cords attach, known as the Adam’s apple (thyroid cartilage), is reshaped. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia because it is crucial to hear the patient’s voice in order to achieve the ideal sound.
What Should be Known After Voice Thickening Surgery?
Voice thickening surgery is not a painful procedure, and patients do not need to stay in the hospital afterward. It is recommended to limit voice use for 5-7 days after the surgery. Following this, patients learn how to use their new voice in daily life with the support of voice therapy. Complete recovery and full adaptation to the “new voice” may take about 3-5 months.
Voice thickening surgeries are not the same as ordinary vocal cord surgeries. Therefore, they should be performed by an ENT specialist experienced in voice disorders and surgeries. Otherwise, it could lead to irreparable issues.
- Surgery Duration: 1 Hour
- Surgery Method: Through a 2 cm incision in the neck
- Anesthesia: Local Anesthesia
- Admission: Discharged on the same day (4 hours after surgery)
- Return to work: After 5 days
- Full recovery time: 1 month
- Duration of permanence: Lifetime
- İşe ne zaman dönülür: Aynı gün
- Tam iyileşme süresi: 7 gün
- Kalıcılık süresi: 3-6 ay