My voice on the phone, passing because of Vocal Therapy

[KathrynJulia]

I work computer tech support and I'm finding, myself talking on the phone a lot as Kathryn and you know what, I passing completely. Lauren my voice therapist and I role played talking on the phone. Women when answering the phone start higher pitched and stay higher if they are talking to a man. And drop the pitch when speaking to a woman on the phone.

I've been called Kathryn and answer as mam all week. As we just merged with 5 other departments in the School of Medicine, the folks whom I'm taking calls from don't know me. All the voice lessons and hard work is working for me. I pay attention at work at how I speak. I need to concentrate more at home because I find myself getting really sloppy with my voice.

Professional vocal training is a good investment. I paid $630.00 for 24 sessions at a University Speach and vocal clinic where I work.

[Guest LizMarie]

Kathryn, even though I plan voice surgery because of a pre-existing medical condition, I am definitely planning to pursue vocal therapy after that. Your story simply reinforces that. From everything I see (and hear) there is so much more to learning the feminine voice than just pitch or resonance.

Your story has given me more confidence that vocal therapy following voice surgery is the right choice for me.

[KathrynJulia]

Good luck on the vocal cord surgery Liz. It won't be an easy surgery, but then none of them are easy are they? Kathryn

[Guest LizMarie]

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

I've achieved nice pitch with the good vocal cord in the 190-200 range but listening to me sounds awful and when I use software to track it, it shows two clear distinct tracks, the working cord pushing the 190 range and the paralyzed cord (which only functions in a small static range because of the implant) still stuck on a separate track down around 140ish. I talked to a voice therapist and she recommended the surgery as well, because this is purely a medical issue. She's the one that I asked whether voice therapy would help afterwards and she was quite positive it would. So ultimately I'll do both.

One thing at a time, one day at a time. I won't get there near as quickly as you and some others but I will get there, someday.

[KathrynJulia]

Yes you will Liz

We all have our mountains to climb, some easy, some not. But you want this and you will be successful in time. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could reverse the damage testosterone did to our vocal chords and our throats. Voice and electrolysis are so very hard. Then for us older ladies, FFS is no picnic and finally when we get through GRS.......Sighhhhhhh Life can be so unfair, but we're survivors. Take care and good luck on the surgery Liz. And on the voice therapy. I enjoyed the voice therapy with my therapist. I hope you get where you get to enjoy yours. Kathryn