Does your voice seem to be changing too? (Voice Change) - Let's talk about this!

You're getting older. So, your body is going through a lot of changes. You've probably noticed that your voice has changed a bit, right? Do you sometimes feel like your voice is cracking or breaking when you speak? Don't worry, this is very normal. In this article, we'll talk about why this happens, what causes it, and when it will get better.

Why does our voice change so suddenly?

Simply put, one of the changes that occurs when you reach puberty is the change in your voice. Especially in boys, a hormone called `(Testosterone)` starts to be produced in large quantities during this time. This hormone is responsible for many changes in the body, and a change in voice is one of them. Imagine, in your throat, specifically above the main breathing tube (`(Trachea)` or windpipe), there is a small box-like part. We call this the larynx. Some also call this the "voice box". That larynx is the main place where your voice is made. Inside this larynx, there are two muscles stretched across. Like two rubber bands. These are what we call the vocal cords.

• When you breathe, these vocal cords are relaxed and rest against the walls of the larynx. This allows air to flow into and out of the lungs without any obstruction.
• But when you speak, these vocal cords (`(Vocal Cords)`) come together and stretch across the larynx . Then, as the air from the lungs passes through these vocal cords and comes out, those vocal cords vibrate . That vibration is what makes your voice sound .

When you lower your voice, your vocal cords become loose and relaxed. When you raise your voice, they become very tight. You can try this yourself. You may also feel the tightening and loosening of those vocal cords in your throat as you raise your voice. So, as you grow older, your larynx gets bigger due to the influence of the hormone `(Testosterone)`. Then your vocal cords get longer and thicker. Not only that, but your facial bones also grow. Places like your nasal cavities, the cavities at the back of your throat, and the sinus cavities get bigger. This gives your voice more room to `resonate`. All of this together makes your voice deeper.

Think of a guitar. When you pluck a low string, it makes a high-pitched sound, right? But when you pluck a high string, it makes a very deep sound. That's how our voices are. When you're young, your larynx is small and your vocal cords are thin. That's why your voice is high-pitched, like a child's. But as you grow older, along with the rest of your body, your voice becomes deeper, like an adult's.

With all these changes in your body, you may notice that your throat is changing a bit too. As boys' larynx grows, it protrudes a little and looks like a little lump in the front of their throat. This is what we call their Adam's Apple. Girls' larynx also grows, but not as big as boys'. That's why girls' Adam's Apple is less visible.

Do you find it difficult to control your voice? Do you stutter when you speak?

Until your body gets used to your new enlarged larynx and vocal cords, it may be difficult to control your voice. Your voice may suddenly "crack" or "break" when you speak. It's like jumping from one pitch to another. Don't worry about this. This cracking or breaking is only temporary . It usually doesn't last more than a few months. Also, your voice doesn't break every time you speak. It only happens occasionally. Some boys' voices may gradually deepen. Others may change suddenly. You may feel a little embarrassed, embarrassed, or even a little nervous about this. This is very normal. Remember, this is different for everyone. Your friends, siblings, and younger siblings have probably gone through this, or are about to go through it. Over time, your body will become very accustomed to your new enlarged larynx and new voice.

When will my voice start to change?

You may notice that some of your friends' voices are already cracking. Others have gotten much deeper. But others still have the same voice as when they were little, as if nothing had changed. This is the most important thing: everyone's timing is different. Some people's voices start to change earlier, some a little later. It varies from person to person. On average, a boy's voice starts to change between the ages of 11 and 15. But for some it can happen earlier, for others later. That's okay. It all depends on when you hit puberty. Some boys hit puberty earlier than others, while others are late. So don't worry if your friend's voice changes earlier. Yours will change when your time comes.

How deep will my new voice be?

This is also a question that many people ask. How deep will my voice be? Will it be very high-pitched? How big a boy's larynx (voice box), how thick his vocal cords (voice box), and how big the resonating area created by the cavities in his face and throat that I mentioned earlier determines how deep his voice will be. It's like the sound of the fat strings on that guitar. Once your larynx (voice box) has grown well, your voice will be very deep.It will become stable and easier to control. That crackling sound will disappear. But even then, your voice is not fully developed! Even after those youthful changes, your voice continues to develop. While that cracking, breaking sound doesn't last long, most boys' voices don't fully mature and stabilize until their twenties. So, you have to be patient.

So, what are the most important things to remember from what we've talked about?

Okay, I think you now have a good idea about voice changes. Let's also remember this:

• Voice changes are a very normal and natural thing that happens as you grow older, especially during puberty.
• In boys, the main reason for this is the enlargement of the larynx and changes in the vocal cords due to the hormone `( Testosterone )`.
• The voice cracking and breaking is temporary. It's only temporary . It only happens until your body gets used to the new changes. So don't worry about it.
• Everyone's voice changes at different times . Your voice may change earlier or later than your friends. That's normal.
• How deep your voice will be is determined by your body's development. It will gradually stabilize over time.
• There is no reason to be ashamed, afraid, or self-deprecating about this. This is an experience that everyone faces.

The most important thing is that you are not going through this alone! Your friends, teachers , and parents know about this, and they will understand you. If you have any problems or concerns, talk to them.

So, when your voice changes, embrace it as a beautiful chapter in your life. It shows that you are growing up healthy!

---

Voice change, puberty, testosterone, larynx, vocal cords, Adam's apple, Puberty voice change