The effects of cigarette smoking on voice-fundamental frequency

Previous group research has shown that the mean voice-fundamental frequency (F0) for individuals who smoke is lower than that of age- and sex-matched nonsmokers. It is believed that this reduction in F0 is a result of edema of the vocal folds caused by tobacco smoke. This study investigated F0 changes during smoking and no-smoking periods. Data were collected before, during, and after a 40-hour period of no-smoking. Analysis of the voice recordings showed a rise in voice F0 for the two smoking subjects during the 40-hour no-smoking period. Age- and sex-matched control subjects did not show a rise in their F0 during the same tasks. Results suggest that the pitch-lowering effects of cigarette smoking may be reversed after as few as 40 hours of smoking cessation.