Does the girls' voice break. At what age does the timbre of the voice change

Girls and boys entering puberty show signs of mutational changes in the structure of the vocal cords. The voice gradually breaks down, it transforms from a childish tone into a more adult timbre, which contains low frequency sounds.

The duration of the mutation period depends on the presence of a large number of external and internal factors affecting the body of a boy or adolescent girl. The timing of the withdrawal of the voice is also individual.

In some children, the mutation of the laryngeal tissue is completed within a few months, while others experience physiological changes in the vocal cords over a longer period of time.

The mechanism of breaking the voice in children

Breaking the voice in adolescent boys and girls is a physiologically complex process that is associated with an increase in the activity of the endocrine glands. As the child grows up, the functions of the endocrine system organs, which are responsible for the production of female and male sex hormones, increase.

Under the influence of androgens, the vocal cords develop, and the structure of the epithelial tissues of the larynx changes at a fairly rapid rate.

In adolescents with low levels of sex hormones, or suffering from diseases of the endocrine system, the mutational period of voice withdrawal can last for several years.

As the level of androgens in the blood of boys increases, the formation of thyroid cartilage occurs, which develops in the sagittal direction. With its angular surface, this part of the neck forms a kind of bulge, which is also known as the Adam's apple.

In the process of implementation of mutational mechanisms, the vocal cords of boys increase 1.5 times, and in girls only 1/3 of their original size. These factors affect the nature of the general signs of structural changes in the tissues of the larynx.

In adolescents, voice breaking is more noticeable, and can also be accompanied by various kinds of anomalies, most of which do not carry any pathological consequences.

Factors affecting voice formation

Whether the voice of girls breaks is a question that can be heard from time to time on the part of adults and adolescents. Girls' bodies are also prone to a hormonal surge in puberty.

The vocal cords of girls go through all stages of mutational changes, but the nature of this process is less pronounced than in boys.

There are factors that influence the formation of the timbre of the voice in adolescents:

• the functional state of the endocrine system organs responsible for the production of female and male sex hormones;

  

• the physique of a teenager (in overweight children who have more adipose tissue, period mutational changes in the larynx occurs much earlier, and is also characterized by more striking clinical manifestations);
• individual features of the structural elements of the vocal apparatus;
• the level of mental development of the child, the presence or absence of neurological pathologies;
• a genetic predisposition to early, late or prolonged voice breaking, which was inherited from the father or mother;
• the stability of the concentration of female and male sex hormones in the blood (the higher the level of androgens, the more dynamic the process of voice mutation takes place);
• the presence or absence of concomitant diseases that affect the state of the organs of the endocrine system (inflammation of the ovaries in girls, chronic prostatitis in guys, pathology of the thyroid gland and cortex adrenal glands);
• quality and balance of the diet;
• chronic and acute diseases of the throat in the form of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
• the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs and tobacco smoking negatively affect the structure of the vocal cords, can cause abnormal changes in this part of the larynx;
• regular exercise (exercise increases the level of male sex hormones, which means that the process of voice mutation is more active).

In guys and girls with a singing voice, mutational changes in the tissues of the larynx occur in a completely different way. In the process of talking and singing of such adolescents, completely different timbres of its sound are heard.

For example, during a speech, the guy's voice is distinguished by a rather low pitch and a slight hoarseness, and during a chant it sounds clear, melodic and several octaves higher.

How and why does voice mutation occur?

Whether the voice of girls breaks is a question that is quite often a topic of discussion. In fact, mutational changes in the structure of the vocal cords affect adolescents of both sexes.

Girls

Voice mutation in girls occurs as they grow older. Immediately after the onset of the active stage of puberty, male and female sex hormones are produced in a girl's body in much greater quantities. The concentration of the latter biochemical substances is an order of magnitude higher than that of androgens.

Due to this, the vocal cords of girls grow more slowly, and this process is also less dynamic. During the mutation of the voice, girls do not show signs of hoarseness, a significant decrease in timbre.

The tissues of the vocal cords of girls are rebuilt according to the conditions of the vital activity of the sexually mature organism. A softer child's voice is sounding more and more like an adult.

1-2 days before the next onset of menstruation, under the influence of sex hormones, local inflammation and edema of the tissues of the vocal cords occurs, which affects a significant decrease in the timbre of the voice. Similar reactions of the body can be observed throughout the entire period of puberty.

Boys

Breaking the voice in boys is a physiological process that is also controlled by the hormonal activity of the endocrine glands.

Mutations of the vocal cords in adolescents occur more actively, and are also accompanied by the following signs:

• hoarseness that persists for a long period of time;
• lowering the voice by 1 or 2 octaves;
• instability of timbre, when, during a boy's conversation, you can simultaneously hear sounds of high and low frequency;
• hoarseness of voice.

As the concentration of male sex hormones in the general blood flow increases, a proportional exacerbation of the above symptoms occurs.

Due to the action of a high level of androgens, the vocal cords in adolescents grow more actively. Within a short period of time, they increase in size several times from their initial parameters.

How old is the voice of boys and girls?

The active phase of mutational changes in the structure of the vocal apparatus of boys and girls, on average, begins at the age of 13, and its duration is individual. In this case, a large number of external and internal factors present in the child's life affect the breaking of the voice.

Most often, the breaking of the voice is completed by the age of 15. It should be borne in mind that in children with a higher level of sex hormones, changes in the vocal apparatus can begin at the age of 11-12.

In this case, the factor of heredity, the level of physical development of the child, is of great importance. In girls, the beginning of the process of breaking the voice goes unnoticed without obvious signs of changes in the sound of the voice.

Stages of voice development in boys and girls

Whether the voice of girls breaks, or does this process only apply to guys - this is the question that periodically arises in many adolescent children. Mutation of the vocal apparatus consists of 4 main stages that can be observed in boys and girls of the corresponding age.

Younger home period (7-10 years)

The younger home period is the 1st stage of voice breaking, when it is characterized by exclusively falsetto sound. At this time, boys and girls retain their children's timbre, which does not show signs of hoarseness or low pitch.

During the younger home period, the range of the child's voice is in the range from 1 to 2 octaves. Under the condition of normal physiological development, this stage is completed by the age of 10.

Senior home period (10-13 years)

The older home period is not characterized by violent symptoms of vocal cord fracture. At this stage, boys develop the first signs of chest resonance while still retains its softness, but at the same moment from the depths of the larynx, sounds of a lower tonality.

In most cases, the senior home period lasts about 3 years. Then comes the most active phase of structural changes in the larynx, which is accompanied by a hormonal surge.

Mutation period (13-15 years)

The mutation period includes the appearance of pronounced signs of coarsening of the vocal cords. The timbre of the voice in boys becomes unstable, differs in slight hoarseness, and can be hoarse.

A characteristic feature of this stage of the formation of the vocal apparatus is that within a few months there is a transition from a child's to an adult male voice. In some cases, this process lasts up to 5 years. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the child's body.

In girls, the mutation period does not cause the appearance of dynamic symptoms. At this stage of puberty, the girl acquires an adult female voice, which has no signs of a low timbre.

Post-emulation period (16-18 years)

The post-emulation period begins at the moment when the active phase of puberty is gradually coming to an end. In girls, this stage of the breaking of the vocal apparatus remains invisible. In the guys, there is a complete development of the timbre, which acquires the signs of a stable sound.

By the age of 18, the young man has a completely male voice that does not contain sounds resembling falsetto. The presence of too high a timbre is a sign of a mutational disorder, as well as the basis for an examination by an endocrinologist for the stability of the level of male sex hormones.

What should be remembered during the voice mutation period in girls?

Does the voice break (for girls, the timbre ceases to be like a child's, and in its sound more and more resembles an adult) in children for several years - this is the question that worries many parents.

The peak of structural changes in the vocal apparatus of girls lasts for 2 to 3 months, depending on the physiological characteristics of the child's body.

After that, the process of smooth and gradual formation of the tissues of the larynx starts. At the same time, no critical load is created on the girl's vocal apparatus.

Despite this, for the sake of safety and health preservation, it must be remembered that during the mutation period the following should not be allowed:

• hypothermia of the body;
• the presence of a chronic focus of infections in the tonsils and tissues of the nasopharynx;
• smoking;
• taking drugs, sports nutrition products containing anabolic steroids, hormonal substances of a synthetic nature of origin.

The process of mutation of the vocal cords in girls should take place without the negative impact of external and internal factors. If the slightest anomalies of voice breaking appear in the form of a significant decrease in its timbre, prolonged hoarseness, hoarseness, it is necessary to seek help from a pediatrician.

In this case, an additional examination by an otolaryngologist may be required, as well as a consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist.

How to help a child when his voice breaks?

Most children endure the period of voice mutation absolutely normally without the development of pathologies and complications. Parents who have noticed that their child has begun breaking the vocal apparatus should provide him with psychological support, explaining the physiological reasons for these changes.

A teenager should understand that the hoarseness and unusual timbre of his voice is just a temporary period on the path of growing up and future independence.

Mutational disorders

Mutational disorders that have arisen against the background of voice withdrawal are extremely rare.

Violation of the process of formation of the vocal cords can lead to consequences:

• abnormally low voice in guys, when a teenager speaks in bass all the time;
• severe hoarseness and hoarseness that does not go away for a long period of time;
• a strong decrease in timbre in girls, as well as the passage of a breakdown of the vocal apparatus with symptoms that are characteristic of boys;
• persistent pain in the tissues of the larynx, which intensifies during eating, drinking drinks or swallowing saliva (a similar symptom indicates a sluggish inflammatory process);
• the appearance of signs of too high a timbre, when, against the background of mutational changes, the child begins to speak in falsetto;
• complete or partial loss of voice.

The occurrence of such violations of the breaking of the voice, which are found in guys and girls, in most cases is associated with an imbalance of sex hormones or inflammatory processes in the larynx.

It is very important that a timely examination is carried out to identify the causes of mutational disorders.

Preservation of voice during mutation

Preservation of the voice during the active phase of the mutation provides for the observance of the rules of oral hygiene and mucous membrane of the larynx, protection of the vocal apparatus from the negative effects of external and internal factors.

In conditions of stable passage of a breaking voice, it is only necessary to avoid overstrain of the ligaments, to prevent ARVI, irritation of the tissues of the larynx with food and drink with aggressive properties (soda, hot sauces, sour juices, conservation).

Hygiene of the singing voice during the mutation period

During mutational changes in the tissues of the larynx, there is a high risk that the singing voice will undergo a number of significant changes that will lead to its complete or partial loss. This is especially true for guys, since in girls, breaking of the ligaments almost never causes pronounced disturbances in timbre.

To maintain the melodic sound of a singing voice, it is recommended to observe the following hygiene rules:

• train the tissues of the larynx and vocal apparatus by the method of sharp tension, and then muscle relaxation;
• not to allow smoking, and also not to become a passive smoker (in this situation, it is necessary to stay away from the source of smoke, the molecules of which irritate the mucous membrane of the larynx);
• practice the training of the vocal apparatus with the help of periodic repetition of tongue twisters, which are used to improve diction;
• do not eat spicy, too sour and salty foods;
• before going to bed, rinse the mouth and throat with antiseptic solutions designed to care for the mucous membrane of this part of the body;
• do not allow the larynx to be exposed to currents of cold, too dry or hot air;
• perform breathing exercises.

Guys and girls with a singing voice that is undergoing an active mutation stage should only practice under the supervision of a qualified vocal teacher. During this period, it is strictly forbidden to overstrain the vocal cords, which are at the stage of their formation.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in poor vocal quality. A striking example of such an outcome is the fate of the world famous teenage singer Robertino Loretti.

Despite the instructions of the specialists, the boy continued to give concerts during the active phase of the change in the vocal apparatus. This led to the guy losing his unique voice data.

What should not be done during voice withdrawal?

During the breaking of the voice in boys and girls, it is necessary to remember to observe a number of restrictions. The table below lists the actions that are strictly prohibited to be performed during the period of mutation of the vocal apparatus.

What should not be done during voice mutation?	Why are these actions prohibited?
Drink too cold or hot drinks.	Irritation of the tissues of the larynx is possible.
To prevent infectious diseases of the throat, and if they occur, it is necessary to immediately take measures to organize the treatment process.	The development of acute inflammation is not excluded.
Stay in frosty air for a long period of time.	Hypothermia of the body can provoke a cold, cause inflammation of the tissues of the larynx.
Eating food that is too coarse, which can damage the lining of the throat.	In this case, local irritation of tissues in a state of mild inflammation is possible.
Strain your vocal cords with loud speech, shouting, or laughing.	Such actions can tear the vocal cords.
Smoking tobacco products, or acting as a passive smoker.	The voice may show signs of pronounced hoarseness.

The implementation of these recommendations allows you to prevent negative changes in the structure of the vocal apparatus during the active phase of its mutation. The above restrictions apply to guys and girls who are faced with age-related voice breakage.

Voice and the reproduction of sounds of a certain frequency is the result of the functional activity of the vocal apparatus, which is an integral part of the tissues of the larynx.

As they grow older, guys and girls aged 12-13 years, the period of puberty begins, accompanied by a sharp increase in the level of sex hormones.

At this time, the processes of physiological mutation of the vocal cords are triggered, which increase 2-3 times from their previous size, become wider, or take on a more elongated shape. In girls, the breaking of the voice passes almost imperceptibly and without obvious signs of a radical change in timbre.

Mutation of the vocal apparatus in guys is a more complex process, which is accompanied by hoarseness, hoarseness, and a decrease in the sound frequency. The average duration of a voice withdrawal is from several months to 2 years.

Video about how girls' voice breaks

Breaking the voice in girls: