QuesHub > puberty > puberty > the > ASK DETAIL

Why does my voice crack during puberty?

Charlotte Lee | 2023-06-09 04:31:24 | page views:1639
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20 Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more

Amelia Brooks

Studied at the University of Vienna, Lives in Vienna, Austria.
As a voice specialist, I can provide insights into the physiological changes that occur during puberty which can lead to voice cracking. Puberty is a time of significant growth and development, and one of the most noticeable changes in both boys and girls is the alteration in the voice.

Step 1: English Answer

Before you reach puberty, your larynx is pretty small and your vocal cords are kind of small and thin. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a critical part of the vocal apparatus. It houses the vocal cords which vibrate to produce sound when air passes through them. In children and prepubescent individuals, the vocal cords are short and thin, resulting in a higher-pitched voice.

As you go through puberty, a rush of hormones, particularly testosterone in boys and estrogen in girls, leads to various changes in the body. In boys, the larynx gets bigger and the vocal cords lengthen and thicken. This growth is part of the process of developing a more masculine voice, which is typically deeper. The vocal cords in males can increase in length from about 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters and in thickness, which contributes to the drop in pitch and the characteristic deepening of the voice.

In girls, the changes are less dramatic, but there is still an increase in the size of the larynx and slight thickening of the vocal cords, leading to a slight decrease in pitch and a more mature sound.

The process of the larynx growing and the vocal cords changing is not instantaneous. It's a gradual process that can take place over several years. During this time, the muscles and tissues surrounding the larynx are also adjusting. As your body adjusts to this changing equipment, your voice may "crack" or "break." This cracking occurs because the coordination between the brain, which sends signals to the vocal cords, and the physical changes in the vocal cords is not yet fully synchronized. The brain may send a signal for a particular pitch, but the thicker and longer vocal cords may not be able to comply immediately, resulting in an abrupt change in pitch or a crack.

Additionally, the vocal cords are delicate and require practice to control effectively. Adolescents are still learning how to control their new, changing voices. The muscles that control the vocal cords are strengthening and developing, and this process can take time. As they gain more control, the cracking and breaking will decrease.

It's also important to note that hydration plays a role in vocal cord health. Dry vocal cords are more prone to cracking. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive use of the voice can help minimize these occurrences.

In summary, voice cracking during puberty is a normal part of the maturation process as the body undergoes significant changes. It's a temporary phase that most individuals grow out of as they become more accustomed to their new vocal range and as their bodies continue to develop.

**

2024-05-12 15:51:10

Zoe Lopez

Studied at the University of Johannesburg, Lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Before you reach puberty, your larynx is pretty small and your vocal cords are kind of small and thin. ... As you go through puberty, the larynx gets bigger and the vocal cords lengthen and thicken, so your voice gets deeper. As your body adjusts to this changing equipment, your voice may "crack" or "break."
2023-06-11 04:31:24

Liam Turner

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Before you reach puberty, your larynx is pretty small and your vocal cords are kind of small and thin. ... As you go through puberty, the larynx gets bigger and the vocal cords lengthen and thicken, so your voice gets deeper. As your body adjusts to this changing equipment, your voice may "crack" or "break."
ask:3,asku:1,askr:137,askz:21,askd:152,RedisW:0askR:3,askD:0 mz:hit,askU:0,askT:0askA:4