Why Does Everybody Have A Unique Voice?

Introduction

     Do you have a lower, deeper pitched voice or a higher pitched voice? Is your voice different in a unique way? Whatever your voice sounds like, have you ever wondered why your voice sounds like it does? Well if you want to know why everybody has a unique voice, you should probably read this website!

How Our Voices Work

       If you have ever plucked a thin rubber band you have probably heard the high pitch twang it makes when it’s stretched. You’ve also probably heard a deeper low pitched twang when you pluck a thicker rubber band. It’s the same type of thing with vocal cords.

       Vocal cords produce a buzzing sound all by themselves. The parts between your vocal cords, such as the throat, nose, and mouth, act like a continuing sound chamber to turn the buzzing sounds into your own unique voice.

        Your voice is largely determined by the tension and length of your vocal cords. As air passes over them, your vocal cords vibrate very fast to make sounds.

         There are three organs in the human body that work together to make sound. The three organs are the lungs, the larynx, and the vocal cords. Even little changes in one of the organs can make different sounds.

          No two people have the same voice exactly alike. Although some voices might sound similar, no two voices are the same, not even people who are identical twins.

Emotions

       When we are feeling emotional, our voices change to which emotion we are feeling. Emotions have a big role in our voices.

       When you are feeling excited or nervous, the muscles around your larynx tighten up, so that increases the tension in your vocal cords. That makes us have a higher pitch of voice. This often happens when we have strong feelings.

         When we have strong feelings such as excitement or fear, the muscles that help support the larynx contract on their own, and the tightness in the vocal cords increases to make that high, unstable tone that usually means harm or danger.

            You have a lower, deeper voice when you may be sad. When you are feeling excited or feeling happiness your voice is louder.  

What Do Colds Do To Voices?

         When you have a cold you might notice a change in your voice. The hoarse voice that comes with colds is caused by swelling in your vocal cords caused by the cold virus. You can also have further swelling and irritation when coughing or sneezing.

Men, Women, & Children's Voices

     Men, Women, and children’s voices are very different from one another. 

      A man's vocal cords tend to be thicker and longer and vibrate at slower rates. In general, men have deeper and lower voices than women.

      It has also been noticed that hormones have an effect on the vocal cords. For example, there is a slight increase in a woman's voice when she is trying to get a man’s attention.

        The higher rate of sound wave means the higher pitch of voice. High frequency sounds travel to our ears more quickly. This partly explains why children’s voices can be so annoying.

Do Voices Change As We Get Older?

     Yes, our voices change as we grow older.  They change a lot for males but not as much for females.

      When boys grow older usually their voices deepen. Testosterone is why. Testosterone in boys makes their vocal cords become thicker and longer. When girls grow older their voices might change a little bit, but not as much as boys. A man’s vocal cords tend to be thicker and longer and vibrate at slower rates. In general, men have deeper and lower voices than women.

            Elderly people have had a long life of speaking. The surrounding tissues and the vocal cords lose the elasticity and strength they used to have. Also the mucous membranes become dry and thinner. This may cause their voice to get weaker and more crackly.

Conclusion

      In conclusion, your voice is largely determined by the tension and length of your vocal cords. Also emotions can change the sound of your voice. Even colds can change our voices. Men, women, and children have very different voices than one another. And our voices change as we grow older, especially elderly people's voices. Hopefully you enjoyed reading my website and learned new information from it!