Podcast Summary
Exploring the Extreme Ends of Human Voice: From high whistle tones to low frequencies, the human voice is capable of producing a wide range of sounds. We can experience sounds outside of the human hearing range through specialized equipment or feeling vibrations. Voice changes over life, protect it with hydration and good habits.
Key takeaway from this discussion on laryngology, part 2, is that the human voice is capable of producing sounds within a wide range, from the high whistle tones of singers like Mariah Carey and Georgia Brown, to the low frequencies produced by singers like Tim Storms. While we can hear a limited range of frequencies, there are ways to experience sounds outside of the human hearing range, such as through specialized audio equipment or by feeling the vibrations of extremely low frequencies. Additionally, the human voice changes over the course of our lives, and taking good care of it through hydration and avoiding harmful behaviors like yelling, whispering, and using cell phones outdoors can help prevent premature aging.
Reasons for Voice Cracks: Voice cracks can occur due to singing outside of vocal range, nervousness or fear, and erratic breathing. Deep breathing exercises can help calm down and improve breathing.
Voice cracks can occur for different reasons. One reason is when trying to sing outside of our vocal range, causing the voice box to resist. Another reason is due to nervousness or fear, triggering the body's sympathetic nervous system and causing erratic breathing, making the voice shakier. To calm down and improve breathing, deep breathing exercises like box breathing can be helpful. Additionally, research suggests that ancestral origin might influence voice quality, but it's important to remember that race is a social construct and voice characteristics are not a definitive indicator of race.
Our voices signal identity and help us connect: Vocal affectations like pitch variation and 'gay voice' signal group membership and serve various emotional and social purposes.
Our voices and the way we use them can signal various aspects of our identity and help us connect with others. Dr. Nicole Holliday highlighted that African American Vernacular English often shows more pitch variation, but these intonations and flavors are learned and sometimes put on to connect better with an audience. The concept of "gay voice" is about signaling group membership and can help individuals find their community. It's essential to remember that these vocal affectations are a natural part of human communication and serve various purposes, such as expressing excitement, vulnerability, or power. Additionally, cultural factors can influence the way we use our voices, like the use of high pitches when interacting with babies due to their response. Overall, our voices are an integral part of our emotional and social experiences.
Cute aggression: An unexpected reaction to cuteness: The overwhelming positivity of cuteness can sometimes lead to negative emotions like aggression, a phenomenon known as cute aggression, although this theory is not scientifically proven.
Our reactions to cuteness can sometimes lead to unusual behaviors, a phenomenon known as "cute aggression." This theory, while not scientifically proven, suggests that our brains may struggle to process an overwhelming amount of positive stimuli, resulting in negative emotions like aggression. Additionally, our voices can change during pregnancy due to swelling, and certain health issues can be diagnosed by analyzing speech patterns. Accents, on the other hand, primarily affect the way we shape sounds using our lips, tongue, and teeth, and do not directly impact the voice box itself. It's important to remember that hearing a person's voice is crucial for diagnosing voice-related issues.
The way we learn language as children impacts our ability to make certain sounds as adults: Learning language as a child trains our mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth to produce sounds. Difficulty making certain sounds as an adult may be due to lack of practice during this formative period. Vocal cord structure and health also play a role in voice production.
The way we learn language when we're young significantly impacts our ability to produce certain sounds as adults. The muscles in our mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth are trained by our primary language or languages during this formative period. If we never practiced making certain sounds, it can be more difficult to produce them later in life. Another important point discussed was the structure of the vocal cords and what happens when we lose our voice. The vocal cords have a lining called epithelium, and beneath that is a special jelly layer called the superficial lamina propria. This jelly layer allows the epithelium to vibrate, creating the sound of our voice. If this layer becomes stiffened due to swelling, injury, or chronic aggressive use, the vocal cords can't vibrate properly, resulting in reduced sound or reliability. We also learned that crying, though it may feel like it, doesn't damage the vocal cords. It's actually a modified cough, and the trauma it causes to the voice box is similar to that of shouting. However, if you have a broken blood vessel in your voice box, it's important to practice vocal rest and avoid talking as much as possible to allow the injury to heal. Lastly, burping is a result of air from the esophagus and stomach making its way out before it becomes a gaseous emission. The guttural sound of burps is simply the sound of this air being expelled from the body.
Two tubes in the throat: trachea and esophagus: Avoid acid reflux by wearing loose clothes, sleeping upright, and making lifestyle changes. Practice throat singing with care to prevent pain.
The human body has two tubes that share a common entrance, the mouth and upper throat (pharynx). One tube is the trachea, which carries air to the lungs, and the other is the esophagus, which transports food and liquids to the stomach. Burping is the release of gas from the trachea, bypassing the larynx. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid enters the esophagus and irritates the throat, causing a sore throat and hoarse voice. To avoid acid reflux, experts suggest avoiding tight clothing, sleeping in a recliner, and making lifestyle or dietary changes. Throat singing, which involves using different parts of the throat to produce multiple sounds at once, requires specific training and should not cause pain. Throat singing is practiced in various cultures around the world, including Tuva, Japan, Italy, Peru, India, South Africa, China, and Alaska.
Exploring Vibrato: A Technique in Singing: Vibrato is a singing technique involving subtle changes to the resonating cavity, influenced by hydration, teachable, and diagnosable with technology. Vocal health is crucial, and resources exist for voice recovery and disparity reduction.
The human voice is a complex system that requires proper care and understanding. During a recent episode of the Ologies podcast, listeners learned about vibrato, a technique used in singing that involves gently varying the resonator. Dr. Shawna Cowden, the host, explained that vibrato comes from subtle changes to the shape of the resonating cavity and that hydration plays a role in vocal health. She also shared that vibrato is something that can be taught and that machines like video strobolaryngoscopy and laryngeal electromyography can help diagnose and treat vocal issues. Many listeners asked about voice surgeries and repairing vocal cord damage, and Dr. Cowden confirmed that the nature of the injury determines the need for medical intervention. The Laryngology Education Foundation Health Equity Grant Program was also mentioned as a way to support initiatives addressing disparities in laryngology and speech language pathology care for patients of the Black diaspora. Overall, the episode emphasized the importance of vocal health and the availability of resources for those seeking to improve their voices or recover from damage.
Understanding Voice Issues and Singing Abilities: Voice issues can range from minor to severe, with some resolvable through coaching or good habits, while others may require surgery. Brain damage from injuries or stroke affects voice abilities differently. Singing abilities depend on how the brain processes sound and the impact of tonsils.
There are various reasons why a person may experience voice issues, and these issues can range from minor to severe. Some voice problems can be resolved through coaching or good habits, while others may require surgery. Injuries from medical procedures, such as intubation during emergencies, can also impact the voice. Stroke survivors may experience dysarthria, which affects their ability to shape sounds due to issues with articulation. The trajectory of rehabilitation and recovery for voice issues depends on the extent of brain damage. When it comes to singing, some people naturally have a good sense of pitch and tone, while others struggle. This difference may be due to how the brain processes sound. Tonsils can also affect the voice, with the extent of the impact depending on the severity of the tonsil growth. Overall, proper medical care and therapy can help improve voice issues and singing abilities.
Undergoing a tonsillectomy can be a traumatic experience affecting voice: Tonsillectomy, a common surgery, can impact voice, change resonator shape, and pose risk of scarring or damaging vocal folds, potentially causing permanent loss of vocal abilities
Tonsillectomy, a common surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, can be a painful and traumatic experience. Ali shared her experience of undergoing the procedure at a young age and described it as the "worst thing" she had ever gone through. The surgery can affect the voice by changing the shape of the resonator, requiring individuals to reorient themselves to producing sound. Tonsillectomy is known to be a difficult surgery for both patients and doctors due to its painful nature. The voice, an essential aspect of one's identity, carries deep emotional significance, making any procedure that involves it a serious matter. The risk of scarring or damaging the vocal folds during surgery can result in permanent loss of vocal abilities. Julie Andrews, a renowned singer and actress, is an example of such a case, where a routine vocal cord surgery reportedly destroyed her singing voice forever. Therefore, medical professionals take great care and utilize specialized techniques to minimize the risk of negative vocal outcomes during voice surgeries.
Protecting the superficial lamina propria and understanding the role of the Adam's apple: Myths about the Adam's apple and voice don't hold water. Anyone can learn to sing with dedication and practice, and laryngologists provide more than medical care, offering emotional support.
The superficial lamina propria, the layer beneath the vocal cords, is an essential part of the vocal system that should be protected. Regarding Adam's apple, it's a flexible cartilage structure, and injuries can cause pain. Reducing its prominence through gender affirming surgery does not affect the voice. As for singing, the belief that some people can't learn to sing is a myth. Singing comes from the heart, and with dedication and practice, anyone can improve their voice. For laryngologists, their job involves not only medical expertise but also emotional support and compassion towards patients dealing with various personal challenges. The most challenging aspects include delivering difficult diagnoses, such as cancer, and dealing with surgical nonsuccesses.
Recognizing the importance of each encounter: Healthcare providers aim to offer their best care while being human, understanding the impact of each interaction on patients' lives
Healthcare professionals, like doctors and surgeons, have a great responsibility to be present, authentic, and empathetic towards their patients. This means showing up for them, offering grace, and acknowledging that everyone, including healthcare providers, have good and bad days. It's about recognizing the importance of each encounter and the impact it can have on a patient's life. For doctors, restoring a patient's ability to communicate, such as removing a tracheostomy tube, can bring immense joy and make a significant difference in their patient's life. It's essential to remember that healthcare providers are people too, and they strive to provide the best care possible while also being human.
Finding Joy in the Unexpected and Unpleasant: Sometimes we find joy in the most unexpected places, even if they're a bit gross. Take care of your health by getting your HPV vaccines.
Sometimes, people find pleasure in the most unexpected and unpleasant experiences. The speaker in this episode shares her annual ritual of using a drain snake to remove hair and other debris from her shower drain, describing it as a disgusting yet satisfying experience. She even encourages listeners to look up customer reviews and images of drain cleanings, warning them of the grossness involved but admitting that she couldn't resist doing it herself. Despite the unpleasantness, she finds catharsis and even horror in the process. On a different note, the speaker also urges listeners to get their HPV vaccines, emphasizing that it's important for everyone, regardless of gender. So, the takeaway is that sometimes, we may find joy in the most unexpected places, even if they're a bit gross, and it's important to take care of our health.
