Summary
Purpose
This study investigates the short- and longer-term effects of glottoplasty up to six
months after surgery on acoustic voice parameters, listener perceptions, and client's
satisfaction in trans women. Secondly, the impact of chondrolaryngoplasty and voice
therapy on the glottopasty outcomes was investigated.
Method
A prospective longitudinal non-controlled trial was used. Thirty-five trans women
undergoing glottoplasty or a combination of glottopasty and chondrolaryngoplasty were
included in this study. A voice assessment was conducted before surgery and 1 week,
1 month and 6 months after surgery. The following outcome parameters were measured:
fundamental frequency (fo), intensity, frequency and intensity range, Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), Acoustic
Voice Quality Index (AVQI), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire
(TWVQ), and visual analogue scales (VAS) measuring client's satisfaction. Listener
perceptions of masculinity-femininity were collected using a listening experiment.
Results
Significant differences over time were found for all fo and intensity parameters, DSI, AVQI, VHI and TWVQ scores. Listener perception and
self-perception of femininity was higher after surgery. Significant differences in
evolution of listener perceptions were found between the groups with and without voice
therapy.
Conclusion
Glottoplasty improves voice related quality of life and is an effective method to
increase the fo and associated perceptual femininity. After glottoplasty an immediate and short-term
decrease in voice quality, vocal capacity and frequency range was measured with a
progressive recovery on the longer term. Long term side effects of glottoplasty are
a reduction in speaking intensity and intensity range. Voice therapy seems to improve
the outcomes of glottoplasty, but should be further investigated in future studies.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 10, 2023
Accepted:
January 12,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
