Puberphonia
Encyclopedia
Puberphonia is the persistence of adolescent voice even after puberty.
Normally adolescent males undergo voice changes due to a sudden increase in the length of the vocal cords
due to the enlargement of the Adams Apple. This is uncommon in females because their vocal cords do not show a sudden increase in length. This sudden increase in the length of the vocal cords is due to the sudden increase in testosterone levels found in pubescent males.
in the absence of organic cause is known as Puberphonia. This condition is commonly seen in males. The patient has an unusually high pitched voice persisting beyond puberty. This is uncommon in females because laryngeal growth spurt occurs commonly only in males.
Also Type III phonosurgery can be done which includes surgical shortening and relaxation of the vocal cords.
Introduction
Vocal folds
The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx...
due to the enlargement of the Adams Apple. This is uncommon in females because their vocal cords do not show a sudden increase in length. This sudden increase in the length of the vocal cords is due to the sudden increase in testosterone levels found in pubescent males.
Definition
The persistence of adolescent voice even after pubertyPuberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, as initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads; the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy...
in the absence of organic cause is known as Puberphonia. This condition is commonly seen in males. The patient has an unusually high pitched voice persisting beyond puberty. This is uncommon in females because laryngeal growth spurt occurs commonly only in males.
Causes of Puberphonia
- Emotional stress
- Delayed development of secondary sexual characters
- Psychogenic
- Non fusion of thyroid laminae
Treatment
This condition is best treated by voice therapy.Also Type III phonosurgery can be done which includes surgical shortening and relaxation of the vocal cords.