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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Investigating the Impact of Emotional Prosodies on Voice Recognition and Perception
Published on: August 9, 2024
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Does forced whisper have an impact on voice parameters?
Matthias Echternach1, Marie Köberlein2, Michael Döllinger3
1Division Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Department of Otolaryngology, Munich University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Munich University (LMU), Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany. matthias.echternach@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Summary
Forced whispering has minimal impact on vocal function and vocal fold oscillation patterns in healthy individuals. This study suggests that current recommendations against whispering post-phonosurgery may need re-evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Laryngology and Voice Science
- Vocal Function Analysis
- Phonosurgery Rehabilitation
Background:
- Whispering is often discouraged after phonosurgery due to assumed negative impacts on vocal function.
- The precise effects of whispering on vocal fold dynamics and overall vocal health remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of forced whispering on vocal function and vocal fold oscillation patterns in vocally healthy subjects.
- To provide objective data to inform clinical recommendations regarding whispering after phonosurgery.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy participants (5 male, 5 female) underwent a 10-minute forced whisper task at 70 dB(A).
- Vocal function was assessed using the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) before and after the intervention.
- High-speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV), electroglottography (EGG), and audio signal analysis were performed during sustained vowel phonation.
Main Results:
- Minor increases were observed in minimum intensity, glottal area waveform-derived open quotient, and glottal gap index post-whispering.
- No statistically significant changes were found in harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR), glottal-to-noise excitation ratio (GNE), or electroglottographic open quotient.
Conclusions:
- Forced whispering results in only minor alterations to vocal function in healthy individuals.
- The findings suggest that the detrimental effects of whispering on vocal function may be less significant than previously assumed.
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