The Effect of Loud Voice and Clear Speech on the Use of Vocal Fry in Women

This study investigated the effects of clear speech and loud voice on the use of vocal fry in women.

Twenty healthy-voiced young women who used a moderate amount of vocal fry when reading aloud in conversational-style speech (defined as a minimum of three occurrences per sentence) also read the same stimuli in loud voice and clear speech. The occurrence of vocal fry was assessed in the three speaking styles. Intensity and fundamental frequency levels in each condition were obtained to help interpret the findings.

A statistically significant reduction in the use of vocal fry was found in loud and clear conditions compared to conversational style. However, a significantly greater reduction in use of vocal fry was obtained in clear speech than in loud voice. The increased intensity and mean F0 in loud and clear speech only partially explain the decrease in use of vocal fry.

Women who use vocal fry in typical speech may persist in its use when speaking more loudly, although not when speaking more clearly. Apparently, different phonatory strategies are used for the two speaking styles. Further research is needed to clarify the laryngeal dynamics of clear speech.