Voice is one of the important tools used in social communication. It also plays an effective role in determining the individual’s place in social status. It is important that the tone of voice is appropriate for the individual’s physical appearance, general life and gender. A beautiful voice can influence the other party and leave positive impressions, thus helping to improve a person’s quality of life. People may need voice changes for various reasons. Voice aesthetics can help an individual who wants to thin or thicken their voice have the voice they want by performing surgical intervention.
What is Voice Aesthetics?
Voice aesthetics is a surgical procedure that is generally applied by individuals who are dissatisfied with their voice, have permanent hoarseness , pitch disorder or other voice disorders to have the voice they want. Various hormonal conditions and nodules around the vocal cords can cause some changes in the individual’s voice. These voice changes can negatively affect the individual’s mental state and cause isolation from society. In such cases, the individual can make his voice more harmonious and aesthetic with voice aesthetics. Apart from these, although there is no vocal cord problem, the person may feel uncomfortable with his voice and may want to thin or thicken his voice depending on his physical appearance, social status or gender. Voice surgery can be an effective and permanent method, especially for voices that may cause gender ambiguity when communicating. Voice aesthetic surgery generally involves changing the structure of the vocal cords.
Who Gets Voice Aesthetics?
Despite developing technology, voice is still the most important means of communication. A voice that suits the person can help the person improve their quality of life and leave a positive impression on the other party. Sound may be distorted or altered due to various factors. In such cases, individuals may undergo vocal aesthetics to have a more appropriate tone of voice. In general, people who are uncomfortable with their tone of voice can have voice aesthetics. However, people who have problems in social communication due to the thinness and thickness of their voice most often resort to voice aesthetics. For example, a woman with a deep voice may be evaluated incorrectly by another person when communicating on the phone. The opposite is also true for men. A man with a high voice can give a wrong impression as he can be perceptually misjudged during a conversation. However, a high voice coming from a well-built man and a deep voice coming from a petite woman may cause aesthetic problems. Long-term smoking can also cause deepening of the voice in both men and women. In such cases, voice aesthetics can be an effective treatment method. Some people who apply for voice aesthetics may have received hormone therapy at a young age. People receiving hormone therapy often have voices that do not match their physical appearance or gender. Apart from these, people who want to change their gender may also want to have a permanent voice change according to their preferred gender. In summary, people whose voice does not suit their gender, age and general physical appearance can have voice aesthetics.
How is Voice Aesthetics Done?
An individual who consults a doctor to change his voice is first determined by various tests to determine whether he is suitable for surgery. The patient’s general health condition is examined and his medical history is learned. In line with the suitability of the conditions, the doctor learns the patient’s complaint and prepares a treatment plan accordingly. The surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s tone of voice and the surgical method to be chosen. In some cases, this procedure can be performed endoscopically through the mouth, and in other cases through small incisions made in the neck. The aim of voice surgery is to change the frequency of the voice by adjusting the length, mass or tension of the vocal cords. In this way, the voice can be thinned or thickened according to the person’s wishes. In procedures performed with local anesthesia, the patient can decide the tone he wants by hearing his own voice during the surgery. There is usually no pain after the procedure. After the surgery, the patient may need to have voice rest for as long as the physician deems appropriate. Afterwards, the patient can use his voice easily, but it will take a few months for the voice to become fully established. Voice therapy applications after voice aesthetic surgery can help provide a more permanent and effective solution by increasing the success rate of the surgery.
What is Voice Attenuation? How to do it?
Individuals who want to lower their voice in accordance with their general physical appearance or gender can undergo voice thinning surgery. For voice thinning surgery, it is first determined whether the patient is suitable for surgery. Voice thinning surgery involves procedures performed on the vocal cords to make the voice thinner and more feminine by increasing the frequency of the vocal cords. There are different techniques used in voice thinning surgery. These techniques can be listed as follows:
- Wendler Thyroplasty (Anterior Commissure Glottoplasty): It is the most commonly performed intervention for voice thinning. This procedure takes place under general anesthesia and is performed by interfering with the vocal cords through the mouth. The front part of the vocal cords is stitched together to shorten the length of the vocal cords. Thanks to the shortened vocal cords, a higher pitched voice is produced.
- Laser Thinning (Laser Assisted Reduction Glottoplasty): This method, performed under general anesthesia, involves intervening in the vocal cords with a laser from inside the mouth. With the help of laser, the mass of the vocal cords is reduced. As the mass of the vocal cords decreases, the voice becomes thinner.
- Thyroplasty Type 4 (Cricothyroid approximation): It is a technique used in addition to other methods for voice reduction and is also known as the cricothyroid approach. The cartilages in the larynx are accessed through a small incision made in the front of the neck. Afterwards, these cartilages are brought closer and further apart and the vocal cords are stretched to make the voice thinner. During this procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia, it will be possible for the patient to hear his own voice during the surgery.
What is Voice Deepening? How To?
Individuals whose voice does not match their physical appearance or gender can undergo voice deepening surgery to make their voice deeper. Voice deepening surgery is a method preferred by men who are psychologically affected because they usually have a thin voice. The aim of voice deepening surgery is to deepen the voice by reducing the frequency of the vocal cords. Methods used to deepen the voice can be listed as follows:
- Thyroplasty Type 3: This method, which is widely used to deepen the voice, is also called voice deepening surgery. In this method, which is performed under local anesthesia, a small incision is first made on the front of the neck. The vocal cords are reached through this incision and the vocal cords are loosened. As a result of the loosened vocal cords, the voice becomes deeper. During the procedure, the patient can decide the tone he wants by hearing his own voice. After the procedure, which is generally painless, the patient can be discharged on the same day if there is no risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any surgery, there may be some risks and complications in voice change surgery. For this reason, it would be beneficial to consult your doctor and get more detailed information on the subject before deciding on surgery. Individuals who want to have voice aesthetic surgery may have some questions that they wonder about. You can find some information about these questions and their answers below.
Is voice change surgery painful?
Since voice change surgeries are performed under anesthesia, there is no pain or feeling of pain.
Is voice change surgery dangerous?
In surgical procedures using local anesthesia, complications caused by general anesthesia can be prevented. After surgery, side effects such as bleeding or bruising from the neck incision may occur. However, the probability of this is low. In surgical interventions performed under general anesthesia, it is possible to evaluate the patient’s risks related to anesthesia before the surgery.
How long does voice change surgery take?
Surgeries can take approximately 40 to 90 minutes, depending on the techniques used.
Is there pain after voice change surgery?
Temporary mild pain may occur after voice change surgery.
Are the results of voice change surgery permanent?
After voice change surgery, the voice change is permanent. It may take up to 12 to 18 months for the voice to be fully established.
After voice modification surgery, the doctor may recommend vocal rest for a few weeks to allow the vocal cords to heal. Vocal cords heal after rest and can be used comfortably. Following the doctor’s recommendations can benefit the healing process. Individuals who are not satisfied with their tone of voice can contact their doctor and get information about voice aesthetics in order to have the tone of voice they want.
