What is it about?

This study examines how voice self-perception changes over time among transmasculine individuals undergoing masculinizing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). While testosterone therapy typically lowers fundamental frequency (pitch), pitch alone does not fully explain how individuals perceive their own voice or gender congruence. By investigating longitudinal acoustic parameters alongside body image and psychosocial variables, this research demonstrates that self-perception of voice is shaped by a multidimensional interaction of acoustic characteristics, psychological well-being, and gender affirmation.

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Why is it important?

Standard gender-affirming voice therapy and research have historically focused primarily on fundamental frequency (pitch) as the main marker of masculinization. This study highlights the necessity of adopting a multidimensional clinical framework—integrating acoustic properties, body image alignment, and psychosocial health—when evaluating and supporting transmasculine individuals. These findings inform speech-language pathologists, endocrinologists, and mental health professionals on optimizing gender-affirming care and outcome measurement beyond traditional acoustic metrics.

Perspectives

Voice is a deeply personal expression of identity, not just a physical or acoustic signal. Our goal was to uncover why two individuals with identical acoustic shifts can experience vastly different levels of voice-related distress. By tracing these longitudinal trajectories, we highlight that optimizing voice-related quality of life requires clinical care that looks 'beyond pitch'—addressing the complex interaction between physiological voice changes, body perception, and psychological well-being.

Merve Öğülmüş Uysal
Hacettepe Universitesi

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Beyond Pitch: Exploring Acoustic and Psychosocial Factors Shaping Voice Perception in Transmasculine Individuals, Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, October 2026, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2026_jslhr-26-00124.
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