Transgender voice and communication treatment: a retrospective chart review of 25 cases

Abstract

Treatment goals for clients included in this study were consistent with those goals most often recommended in the research literature regarding voice and communication treatment for transgender clients. Voice and communication treatment resulted in gains in areas important to listeners' perception of gender. Further research is warranted to determine efficacy of specific treatment protocols and potentially influential factors such as initial voice and communication status.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Populations

“…Changing the acoustic correlates to both pitch and resonance features of a voice toward female normative values (i.e., higher pitch and more forward resonance than males) dramatically increases the likelihood that a voice is perceived as a female's, more so than changing pitch or resonance features alone (Hillenbrand & Clark, 2009). Several studies have reported positive treatment outcomes for adult male-to-female transgender speakers after targeting pitch and resonance in conjunction with intonation, rate, nonverbal communication, or overall vocal health (Carew, Dacakis, & Oates, 2007;Dacakis, 2000;Gelfer & Tice, 2013;Hancock & Garabedian, 2013;Soderpalm, Larsson, & Almquist, 2004). There is evidence that similar approaches can be used with adolescent clients (Hancock & Helenius, 2012).…”

Adolescent male-to-female transgender voice and communication therapy

“…Although there is quite a bit of missing data, fundamental frequency increased to above 155 Hz for five of the twelve people who had complete data for baseline, treatment, and follow-up assessments. Hancock and Garabedian (2012) reviewed 25 cases of MTF speakers and found clients had increased speaking fundamental frequency in sustained vowel, reading, and monolog tasks by 5-6 semitones, which was statistically significant. Gains in fundamental frequency correlated significantly with total number of sessions.…”

Small Groups, Big Gains: Efficacy of a Tier 2 Phonological Awareness Intervention With Preschoolers With Early Literacy Deficits

“…Changing the acoustic correlates to both pitch and resonance features of a voice toward female normative values (i.e., higher pitch and more forward resonance than males) dramatically increases the likelihood that a voice is perceived as a female's, more so than changing pitch or resonance features alone (Hillenbrand & Clark, 2009). Several studies have reported positive treatment outcomes for adult male-to-female transgender speakers after targeting pitch and resonance in conjunction with intonation, rate, nonverbal communication, or overall vocal health (Carew, Dacakis, & Oates, 2007;Dacakis, 2000;Gelfer & Tice, 2013;Hancock & Garabedian, 2013;Soderpalm, Larsson, & Almquist, 2004). There is evidence that similar approaches can be used with adolescent clients (Hancock & Helenius, 2012).…”

“…Generally, all behaviors listed were consistent with those recommended in the WPATH (2011, pp. 52-54) standards of care and research literature (Gelfer, 1999;Hancock & Garabedian, 2013;Oates & Dacakis, 1983).…”

“…Fundamental frequency (pitch) and resonance are, by far, the most frequently recommended target areas in the literature (Gelfer, 1999;Hancock & Garabedian, 2013;Oates & Dacakis, 1983;WPATH, 2011 pp. 52-54).…”