CLEVELAND– You’ve probably never heard of it. But you’ve probably heard it before.
Experts call it vocal fry and it’s creeping into the conversations of young women.
“Vocal fry is when the voice sinks from the front to the back of the throat. It sounds like bacon sizzling in a pan,” said Dr. Nicole Maronian, director of the Voice and Swelling Center at University Hospitals.
Dr. Maronian says she is seeing more cases of vocal fry, also known as glottal fry, in younger women.
So why is this low-pitch way of talking so popular?
Experts blame pop culture. “It probably started with Meredith Grey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ where she had this very tired-sounding voice dealing with lots of troubles and dramas. Now we are seeing that with the reality shows and ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians.’ Our young people are seeing that and modeling off that voice quality,” said Dr. Maronian.
But doctors say imitation can quickly become habit; a habit with consequences to the vocal chords.
“For one, it’s fatiguing to use. Two, it can cause swelling. And three it can cause lesions that can cause more aggressive intervention, even surgery,” added Dr. Maronian.
So can vocal fry be reversed?
Doctors say absolutely. “First they have to release they are doing it. Then, I teach them how to correct that, which is by increasing breath support and using techniques called forward focus therapy and resonant voice therapy,” said Dr. Tracey Newman, clinical voice specialist.
And while doctors realize young women are just trying to find their voice, using that voice might not necessarily reflect what is on the inside.
“Vocal fry can come off that they don’t care, that they’re too cool. It doesn’t really matter to them, when they might not be thinking that at all,” added Dr. Newman.
overlife
wow….they crazies are starting young.
SoSueMe
…and it is totally annoying to listen to.
Rudy Horbol
all it is is a satanic culture offshoot…..subtle at best…..watch as it gets more widespread with other satanic inspired ‘gimmicks’….for sure!
Izi Ningishzidda
I’m a Satanist and I don’t see the connection between Satanism and trying to fit in, like a sheep, and destroying a part of your body. A Satanist would not consciously try to do that because they are selfish and seek to maintain their individuality.
Joe Code stud
How is this any different from Ebonics or gangsta hip hop language where it takes an incredible amount of effort to disfigure your language where no one excerpt fellow speakers can recognize it?
Michael
The difference is that vocal fry causes physical damage to the vocal folds, while “Ebonics or gangsta hip hop language” are no more than changes in word choice and, by themselves, do no physical damage.
payik
What language CAN be understood by anyone except fellow speakers?
Rob
Though some try to emulate it, vocal fry is not necessarily a purposeful disfiguring of vocal chords. In the voice over world, vocal fry is very desirable. I have natural vocal fry when I talk and it has led to a lot of voice over work.
Marta Uggurio
It’s not vocal CHORDS. It’s vocal CORDS.
Rosie O'Boxer
Thank you, Marta!!!… As a voice teacher I find I have to make this correction often.
Andy
But “Vocal Chords” is an excellent song by indie band, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.!
Jim Mossman
Also the name of my barbershop quartet!
Cindy weber
It’s CHORDS.
Dave
It’s not “release they are doing it” but “realize they are doing it.”
J
And it’s not CLEVELAND, idiots–only the first “C” is capitalized.
Betty
Actually in news reporting “CLEVELAND” is what is known as the “dateline.” Traditionally, the names of cities and states are capitalized.
SLP Jen
I think it’s interesting that the news presenter also was engaging in vocal fry naturally but didn’t realise (yes I know there were times she was doing it intentionally, but she was doing it subconsciously as well). I’ve been noticing glottal fry much more frequently so was very interested to see this making news!
John Smith
And what’s next as we stridently strive toward equality and total inclusiveness more grunts and groans and animals sounds?
Izi Ningishzidda
I don’t hear the bacon part. I guess the worst part of all of this is some young women want to be singers, too. I know a few who need to break this habit.
bonnie
i think release = realize.
Mr_T
Doctors say absolutely. “First they have to release they are doing it. Then …
release, realize, whatever. Right?
Is proofreading no longer taught in journalism school?
Bridget Anne
What I got from this is what I’ve always believed: watching the Kardashians is * literally* bad for your health…