RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: There is currently no research reporting solely on outcomes of voice and communication modification training (VCMT) in individuals who identify as non-binary and genderqueer (NBGQ) in the English literature. This study aimed to describe the objective and subjective impact of VCMT on the voice of NBGQ individuals undergoing a 12-week gender-affirming VCMT program. METHODS: A retrospective consecutive case series of NBGQ individuals enrolled in a VCMT program was performed. Demographics, Transgender Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (TSEQ), fundamental frequency (F0), and frequency range were collected before and after the program. RESULTS: Four NBGQ individuals enrolled between January 2019 and June 2021; the mean age was 27.0 years. While all four participants represented in this case series showed improvement in at least one of their initial goals, only one improved both their F0 and TSEQ scores; the other three participants had mixed results. CONCLUSION: NBGQ individuals experienced improvements in self-reported outcomes and changes in acoustic measures after completing VCMT in our case series. Individuals experienced significant improvement in subjective outcomes despite small changes in acoustic measures, and vice versa. More research is needed to better understand the voice and communication needs of NBGQ individuals, along with their outcomes with VCMT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Transgender individuals' voices are closely related to gender identity. A primary goal of gender-affirming voice modification is to help individuals alter their voices to improve gender congruence; however, there is a paucity of research to support this approach. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a 12-week gender-affirming voice and communication modification program. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective consecutive case series of transgender women enrolled in a voice and communication modification program was performed. Demographics, Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ), fundamental frequency (F0 ), and frequency range were collected before and after the program. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed changes in outcomes. Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficients quantified associations between self-reported outcomes and acoustic measures. RESULTS: A total of 16 trans women individuals were enrolled. The mean age was 31.5 years. After program completion, TWVQ improved 20.4 points, F0 increased 26.5 Hz (spontaneous speech) and 25.7 Hz (reading), and the range increased 24.7 Hz (spontaneous speech) and 0.1 Hz (reading). None of the changes in acoustic measures significantly correlated with improvement in TWVQ scores in the cohort. CONCLUSION: Trans women experience improvements in self-reported outcomes and changes in acoustic measures after completing a gender-affirming voice and communication modification program. Individuals may experience significant improvement in subjective outcomes despite small changes in acoustic measures and vice versa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 (case series) Laryngoscope, 132:1615-1621, 2022.