Vocal Fry in Women: The Impact on Vocal Health… and Career?
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Vocal fry is debated constantly in vocal health spaces, with people suggesting it's dangerous, harmful, intentional, unavoidable ... just annoying? Does vocal fry make a woman sound less intelligent? Is vocal fry bad for your voice?
Though vocal fry is a normal mode of female voicing, studies have suggested vocal fry may negatively impact a woman's perceived authority and employability. With that surprising data in mind, it's worth exploring and understanding more about this mode of speech.
What is vocal fry?
Vocal fry is a mode of speaking voice (i.e., a placement) that is characterized by a rattle and low pitch. This most commonly occurs at the end of a sentence, especially in the female voice. However, for certain speakers and singers, it can be heard throughout a phrase as a stylized manner of speech. It can be considered in some cases to be a style, as is 'up-speak' (ending a sentence with an upswing in pitch, making it sound like a question).
Is it dangerous to use vocal fry?
Vocal fry represents the lowest vocal register, requiring specific laryngeal muscle configurations. This potentially creates muscle memory, making it harder to transition to other muscle patterns. This may present as voice fatigue when attempting to voice differently. For example, someone who is persistently in fry may find it hard to re-position to the belt. They may belt using a similar muscle pattern to fry, which is difficult and fatiguing.
Vocal fry is not considered damaging to the cords. More commonly, consistent speech in vocal fry risks muscular issues, resulting in vocal fatigue, discomfort, and reduced vocal range. However, an inability to speak without the sound of fry can be a sign of a vocal cord injury.
This concern affects professional speakers, voice actors, and all types of voice users. In addition to creating voice fatigue, speakers who use vocal fry are perceived to be less authoritative or reliable.
How do I stop vocal fry?
Speech and voice therapy is an easy and straightforward way to limit vocal fry. Therapy is focused on vocal hygiene and helps identify the optimal pitch for voicing. Optimal pitch is the healthiest, most natural place for your voice to sit and is the most efficient, least fatiguing placement for your voice.
Click here to consult with our voice therapist and learn more about optimizing your voice.
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