Perceptual analysis of the male-to-female transgender voice after glottoplasty-the telephone test.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this investigation was to quantify gender perception in telephone communication as a situation of everyday life.

STUDY DESIGN: Matched control study.

METHODS: Speech samples were recorded of 18 male to female (MtF) after Wendler's glottoplasty, 18 male, and 18 female persons. After adaption of the frequency to the limited frequency transmission on the telephone (300-3,400 Hz), the speech samples were judged by 50 male and 50 female listeners. Parameters were the decision "male" or "female" and the decision time. The formant frequencies F1 to F3 for the vowel /a/ were extracted and compared between the speaker groups.

RESULTS: There were 7/18 MtF perceived as female by the majority of listeners. A correlation between fundamental frequency and perceptions as female could be shown. The decision time needed was longer for MtF than for male or female speakers. Female listeners decided significantly faster than male listeners. Female listeners perceived the MtF more often as male speaker. For the MtF, the perception as female correlated with their individual voice satisfaction. Comparing the formant frequencies of male and MtF speakers, F2 was higher for MtF. Regarding female and MtF speakers, F1 and F2 were significantly lower for MtF speakers.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the telephone test, MtF individuals misperceived as male can be identified even if they reached a vocal pitch in the female frequency range. The strong correlation of the perceptions as female in the telephone test and the personal satisfaction shows the power of this instrument for evaluation of therapy success. It should be utilized to compare different techniques of gender voice surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 127:875-881, 2017.