The Effectiveness of Gender Affirming Voice Training for Transfeminine Clients: A Comparison of Traditional Versus Intensive Delivery Schedules

Abstract

Introduction

Gender affirming voice training is a service provided by speech language pathologists to members of the trans and gender diverse community. While there is some evidence to support the effectiveness of this training, the evidence base is limited by a lack of prospective studies with large sample sizes. Finally, there has been only limited research investigating the effectiveness of this training when delivered on intensive (compressed) schedules, even though such schedules are used in clinical practice and may have practical benefits such as increasing service access for this vulnerable population.

Methodology

This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness gender affirming voice training among 34 trans individuals presumed male at birth aiming to develop a perceptually feminine/female-sounding voice. Among these 34 participants, 17 received their training on a traditional schedule (one 45-minute session per week over 12 weeks) and 17 on an intensive scheduled (three 45-minute sessions per week over 4 weeks). Building on a previous mixed methodological study which indicated that these two training groups were equally satisfied with training outcomes, the current study utilised a wide range of self-report, acoustic, and auditory-perceptual outcome measures (including self-ratings and listener-ratings of voice) to investigate training effectiveness.

Discussion

Results from this study indicated that both training programs were similarly effective, producing positive statistically significant change among participants on a range of outcome measures. Participants in both groups demonstrated significant auditory-perceptual and acoustic voice change and reported increased satisfaction with voice, increased congruence between gender identity and expression, and a reduction in the negative impact of voice concerns on everyday life. However, as has been the case in past studies, training was not sufficient for all participants to achieve their goal of developing a consistently feminine/female-sounding voice.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence to suggest that gender affirming voice training for transfeminine clients may be similarly effective whether delivered intensively or traditionally. This study provides evidence to support the practice of using a wide range of outcome measures to gain holistic insight into client progress in gender affirming voice training programs.