Scientists Discover Vocal Fry is More Prevalent in Men

Have you tuned into a podcast or scrolled through TikTok? If so, you’ve likely encountered vocal fry—a unique sound produced when speaking in a deep vocal range. Although commonly linked with young women, recent research reveals a lack of substantial evidence supporting this stereotype.

Vocal fry happens when vocal cords are relaxed, leading to a distinct sound as airflow decreases towards the end of a statement. However, in popular culture, this phenomenon is often viewed negatively, particularly concerning young women. A recent study by Jeanne Brown and her team at McGill University, Montreal, is encouraging a reconsideration of these biases.

The researchers analyzed voice recordings from 49 Canadians obtained online, focusing on specific acoustic markers characteristic of youthful voices, such as tonal irregularities. Surprisingly, these vocal traits were found to be more common in men. Additionally, the study indicated that vocal squeakiness tends to increase with age, demonstrating that being young or female does not define the squeakiest voices.

Professor Brown stated that previous studies also align with their findings on vocal squeaks as acoustic features, but the reason behind their association with women remains unclear. “Perhaps the way we process the acoustic signals influences our perception of women’s voices,” she noted.

To explore this further, 40 participants listened to audio samples featuring manipulated voices that varied in squeakiness and gender ambiguity. Participants could identify the squeaky sound but struggled to attribute it exclusively to either gender. Brown’s research was presented at the Acoustical Society of America meeting on May 14th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“Both controlled studies did not support the theory that women’s voices are inherently louder,” Brown explained.

Researchers including Lisa Davidson from New York University found that while people generally recognize squeaky voices accurately, biases based on social and cultural factors influence perception. Age also played a role; older individuals often rated squeaky voices less favorably compared to younger listeners. “It’s noteworthy that negative media portrayals rarely mention annoying male voices,” Davidson emphasized.

“Perceptions surrounding vocal fry and squeaky voices extend beyond sound,” remarked Brown. “Judgments may stem from societal interpretations about the individuals behind the voices, including the social groups they are perceived to represent.”