6 Puberty Voice Change Symptoms & Why It Happens

During puberty, your body goes through many changes. Your vocal cords, which produce sound, also change during this time.

This happens to both boys and girls. If your voice sounds different recently, that’s normal.

Let’s learn more about puberty voice change symptoms and why it happens.

Key Takeaways

– Puberty brings many changes, including to your voice.

– Your voice might sound different as your vocal cords grow and adjust.

– Expect shifts in pitch, cracking, hoarseness, volume fluctuations, and fatigue.

– Hormonal shifts, especially testosterone for boys and estrogen for girls, drive these changes.

– Embrace the transition, try vocal exercises, seek guidance if needed, and be patient with yourself.

– Puberty is a wild ride, but with understanding and care, you’ll sail through just fine

6 Puberty Voice Change Symptoms

Puberty can be confusing, especially when your voice starts changing. It happens to everyone.

Here are some common symptoms of voice change due to puberty.

1. Deeper Or Higher Pitch

Your voice might sound different lately, going up and down more than usual.

The length and thickness of the vocal cords increase, resulting in a lower pitch.

According to Kahane (1982), the male vocal cords grow about 10 millimeters during puberty, significantly deepening the voice.

Growth in vocal cords causes your voice to sound different.

This change is more pronounced in males due to higher levels of testosterone.

2. Cracks And Breaks

During puberty, the larynx (voice box) grows rapidly, leading to instability in vocal cord vibrations.

This causes the voice to crack or break as it adjusts to the new size.

A study by Harries et al. explains that the uneven growth rate of the vocal folds causes irregular vibrations, which can lead to voice breaks.

3. Hoarse Whispers

The rapid growth of the larynx and the strain of adjusting to new vocal cord sizes can cause temporary hoarseness.

This happens because your vocal cords adjust, like new shoes needing to be worn in a bit. It will feel better soon.

Behlau and Pontes (1995) found that the vocal cords can become swollen and irritated during puberty, contributing to a hoarse voice.

4. Expanded Range

During puberty, your voice can do new things, like sing high notes you couldn’t before.

As the vocal cords lengthen and thicken, the brain takes time to coordinate the new muscle movements needed for a steady tone.

In a 2013 study, Bryan Gick found that teenagers’ voices crack because their muscles are still learning to work together smoothly.

This makes their voice sound uneven during puberty.

5. Volume Conundrum

Your voice can be crazy during puberty! One moment, it’s a whisper; the next, it BOOMs out like a yell.

It’s like trying to control a wild horse – you never know what it will do, but it can be fun!

Controlling your voice during puberty can feel like steering a runaway train. Sometimes, it’s too loud; other times, it’s barely a whisper.

This is because your vocal muscles are still learning to adjust to your changing vocal cords. With practice, you’ll regain your command over pitch and volume.

6. Voice Fatigue Or Strain

Your voice changes during puberty and can get tired. Like any other part of your body, it needs rest.

Your voice might get tired faster now, especially if you’ve been singing a lot.

The physical changes in the throat and larynx can cause mild discomfort or a feeling of tightness.

According to a study by Gray, Steven D. (2000), the growing tissues in the throat can lead to discomfort or you must always clear it.

Why Voice Changes During Puberty?

Your voice changes during puberty because your voice box and vocal cords grow bigger. This happens because of hormones in your body.

1. Role Of Hormones

During puberty, your body makes more hormones. These hormones cause all sorts of changes, including how your voice works.

Boys

The voice change in boys occurs between ages 12 and 16, with the most noticeable changes happening around 13 to 14.

– Testosterone Surge: During puberty, boys experience a dramatic increase in testosterone, making their voicebox grow and their voices deeper.

– Laryngeal Growth: Testosterone enlarges the larynx, making it more visible ( “Adam’s apple”).

– Vocal Cord Changes: Before puberty, vocal cords are about 6-8 millimeters long but can grow to 16-24 millimeters in adult males.

– Voice Depth: These changes result in a deeper voice. The thicker and longer vocal cords vibrate more slowly, producing lower-pitched sounds.

Girls

For girls, the process occurs earlier and is more gradual, generally between ages 10 and 14.

– Estrogen Influence: Girls also experience hormonal changes. An increase in estrogen causes the vocal cords to grow, though not as in boys.

–Subtle Changes: The vocal cords lengthen from 6-8 millimeters to 10-15 millimeters, and the voice becomes slightly deeper.

– Pitch Change: Girls’ voices get lower after puberty. But it’s more about them becoming smoother and settling on a certain pitch than a big drop.

2. Ride Of Voice Changes

During puberty, your voice goes through big changes.

It might crack or squeak, especially when talking to someone you like or speaking in class.

But don’t worry! Your voice is just adjusting to its new adult form.

Coping With Puberty Voice Change

Voice changes during puberty can be challenging for teens and parents.

Here’s how to handle it like a pro.

1. Embracing The Transition

Puberty brings a whirlwind of physical, emotional, and even changes in your voice.

Embrace your changing voice as a normal part of growing up.

Everyone experiences it, showing your body is maturing.

Don’t be embarrassed; it’s a unique part of you. Your voice is special, and as it changes, it shapes who you’re becoming.

2. Importance Of Patience And Understanding

During puberty, your voice will change, just like your body does. Be patient with yourself and give your voice time to adjust.

Parents, support and encourage your child through this exciting but sometimes awkward phase.

3. Vocal Exercises To Manage Voice Changes

Here are some easy exercises to help you with your voice change journey.

– Humming: Sing “mmm” softly in different tones to find your comfortable voice range.

– Lip Trills: Make a buzzing sound with your lips to loosen your voice.

– Siren Song: Slide your voice up and down like an ambulance, but smoothly! This stretches your voice.

– Big Breaths: Take deep breaths in through your nose. Slowly let them out through your mouth to control your voice better.

4. Seeking Professional Guidance If Needed

A vocal coach or speech teacher can help. They can give you tips and exercises to overcome puberty voice change.

Remember, it’s normal and only lasts a little while. Don’t be shy to ask for help if you want it!

Conclusion

Your voice changes a lot during puberty, but that’s totally normal.

It’s like your voice box is figuring out a new way to talk – just like you’re figuring out who you are.

It can be confusing or embarrassing, but your voice is just becoming grown-up.

Resources For Further Study

– “Voice aspects in children with precocious puberty” by Yucel Ekici, Nur, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.

– “Regulation of Voice Development in Childhood and Puberty” by International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Otolaryngology.

– “Effect of sex hormones on human voice physiology: from childhood to senescence” by Virginia Zamponi, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy