“What causes puberphonia in some kids?”
I recently came across the puberphonia which affects a number of kids. What causes this condition and what is the course of treatment when it occurs?
11 Answers
Puberphonia is not my area of expertise. You can find information below.
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/voice-disorders/#collapse_0
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/voice-disorders/#collapse_0
Puberphonia is typically a diagnosis associated with having a perceptually high pitched sounding voice, after going through puberty. If your child is experiences any abnormality in their speaking voice, I would recommend seeking out a referral to an ENT to better determine the etiology. After an ENT assessment, SLPs are typically recommended to assist in intervention based on the primary diagnosis, which has to be given from an ENT.
Kimberly Baradei
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hi! Thanks for reaching out. I specialize in adult neurogenic therapy, so I can not help you with your question, unfortunately. I would recommend reaching out to an SLP who specializes in developmental conditions.
Puberphonia can have complex causes which can include psychological causes including but not limited to emotional stress, delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics, hero-worship, maternal protection, etc. There can also be more organic causes due to non-fusion of the thyroid laminae with secondary hypogonadism. Therefore treatment cannot be recommended until the underlying cause is identified.
My understanding is that puberphonia can have some underlying emotional or psychogenic causes, but I've also heard of cases where that just doesn't seem to be the issue. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a hormone imbalance such as low testosterone. Don't quote me on that!
You would be an excellent candidate for voice therapy from a certified speech-language pathologist. You may look in your area for an SLP that works with adults or check out my page at www.teletn.com if you live in TN or AL.
You would be an excellent candidate for voice therapy from a certified speech-language pathologist. You may look in your area for an SLP that works with adults or check out my page at www.teletn.com if you live in TN or AL.
By kids you must mean those who have passed puberty and have the ability to speak with a lower voice pitch range. Most of these boys have some psychological reason for this to continue and their wanting to speak in a too high pitch, sounding like a women.
A counselor that the boy can relate to would be the best person to talk to in these cases. However, a voice specialist could meet with the boy to determine if there is a quick solution to this issue. There can also be a webbing in the glottis (the space between the vocal folds) that prevents the vocal folds from vibrating slow enough to allow a lower pitch to be achieved. In this case a visit to an otolaryngologist would be needed and the doctor would perform a procedure to remove the tissue. This is not very common but possible.
A counselor that the boy can relate to would be the best person to talk to in these cases. However, a voice specialist could meet with the boy to determine if there is a quick solution to this issue. There can also be a webbing in the glottis (the space between the vocal folds) that prevents the vocal folds from vibrating slow enough to allow a lower pitch to be achieved. In this case a visit to an otolaryngologist would be needed and the doctor would perform a procedure to remove the tissue. This is not very common but possible.
Hi!
Since I’m not a doctor, I’m not truly sure what causes puberphonia, but voice therapy with a Speech Language Pathologist who specializes in voice can be very helpful.
Thanks!
Amy Bland, MS/CCC-SLP
Since I’m not a doctor, I’m not truly sure what causes puberphonia, but voice therapy with a Speech Language Pathologist who specializes in voice can be very helpful.
Thanks!
Amy Bland, MS/CCC-SLP
http://speechplus.in/puberphonia-causes-treatment/
I have attached a website explaining puberphonia; it is a voice disorder with various different onsets. Voice therapy along with seeing a psychologist is recommended.
I have attached a website explaining puberphonia; it is a voice disorder with various different onsets. Voice therapy along with seeing a psychologist is recommended.
Terlenda Lassiter
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hello. Before I begin my response to your question, please note I am a medical speech language pathologist. We are required to complete a Bachelor's, Master's, 9-month externship, and then apply for certification. While we are trained specialist within the domain of medicine and healthcare, we are not physicians. I am not a doctor. Now....
There is not just one cause and the course of treatment varies. Some individuals can see a speech language pathologist while others need to visit an ENT (ear nose throat specialist). I would say first, if the kids are interested in addressing their puberphonia (which for some kids might be habitual depending on how they identify), they can see a speech language pathologist that specializes in voice and/or an ENT and start with an evaluation.
There is not just one cause and the course of treatment varies. Some individuals can see a speech language pathologist while others need to visit an ENT (ear nose throat specialist). I would say first, if the kids are interested in addressing their puberphonia (which for some kids might be habitual depending on how they identify), they can see a speech language pathologist that specializes in voice and/or an ENT and start with an evaluation.
Karen Young
Jupiter, FL
Puberphonia is also known as "functional falsetto". It is characterized by high pitch, breathiness, throat and neck tension, and low intensity.
During puberty, the laryngeal mechanism goes through changes, causing the female voice to lower a few semitones, and the male voice to lower at least one octave. When the acoustic changes that regularly occur with puberty do not take place, it results in Puberphonia.
Voice therapy is the recommended course of treatment.
During puberty, the laryngeal mechanism goes through changes, causing the female voice to lower a few semitones, and the male voice to lower at least one octave. When the acoustic changes that regularly occur with puberty do not take place, it results in Puberphonia.
Voice therapy is the recommended course of treatment.
Tara Helwig
Speech-Language Pathologist
Puberphonia is caused by trying to control unstable pitch and quality characteristics or is an increase in tension and contraction of the muscles in the larynx causing it to elevate. The goals of voice treatment for puberphonia are to phonate at a low pitch and demonstrate that the new low-pitch is to be used and avoid the old high-pitch. Voice therapy treatment consists of coughing, speech-range masking, glottal attack before a vowel, relaxation techniques to reduce tension of the larynx, visi-pitch, and digital manipulation of the thyroid cartilage while producing a vowel.
