Voice Training before and after Glottoplasty

What Is Glottoplasty for MTF Voice Feminisation?

Glottoplasty is a surgical procedure that raises vocal pitch by shortening the vibrating length of the vocal folds. This is achieved by stitching the front portion of the vocal cords together (called anterior web formation), effectively increasing their tension and reducing vibration length — similar to tightening a guitar string to make a higher sound.

What are the risks of glottoplasty and how does therapy reduce them?

Risks of glottoplasty include:

• Voice becoming too high or not high enough.

• Reduced vocal range and possible changes to vocal volume or projection.

• Scar tissue or web separation leading to voice instability.

Voice therapy mitigates these risks by promoting safe voice use, preventing strain, and helping you adjust to your new anatomy in a vocationally sustainable way.

Do I need voice training before glottoplasty?

Yes, voice therapy before glottoplasty offers several benefits:

• It helps establish healthy vocal habits (breath support, resonance, articulation) so your voice mechanism is in optimal shape for surgery.

• Eliminate any hoarseness - self training sometimes causes muscle tension dysphonia.

• It clarifies your vocal goals (how you want your voice to sound post-surgery) and aligns expectations.

• It may reduce post-operative strain or voice complications by preparing you for behavioural changes needed after the procedure.

What happens in voice training after a glottoplasty?

Post-surgery voice therapy focuses on:

• Reinforcing the structural change by helping you use the new vocal mechanism effectively (pitch, resonance).

• Developing speech patterns, intonation, articulation and resonance that align with your gender identity - its not just pitch alone that creates a feminine voice.

• Addressing any voice quality issues (hoarseness, strain, breathiness) that might arise from surgery or adaptation.

Evidence indicates that combining glottoplasty with voice therapy yields better outcomes than surgery alone.

Can I get a feminine-sounding voice without surgery?

Yes — many transfeminine individuals achieve a satisfying feminine voice through voice therapy alone. Therapy addresses pitch, resonance, intonation, articulation, and communication style.

Will Insurance Cover Transgender Voice Training?

Coverage for transgender voice training — also known as gender-affirming voice therapy — depends heavily on your country, insurer, and policy type. Contact your insurance company for more information. Some corporate policies may provide cover. We accept self-paying clients, and provide itemised receipts so you can claim reimbursement from your insurer.

Why choose the Speech Network for transgender voice training?

Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, with experience in providing voice training alongside glottoplasty. They are active members of the National Trans Voice and Communication Clinical Excellence Network.

All our therapists are fully registered and accredited, including:

• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)

• Members of the British Voice Association

Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.

Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Transgender Voice Training, with 5 * google reviews. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Transgender Voice Training.

Transgender Singing Lessons: Find Your Authentic Voice

For many transgender individuals, the voice is a vital part of identity and self-expression. Singing is a joyful way to explore your voice, build confidence, and connect with your authentic self.

Whether you are just starting to explore singing, are an experienced singer eager to sing in your new voice, or already feel confident in your speaking voice but want guidance for singing, our approach helps you develop a healthy, authentic, and confident singing voice while protecting your vocal health.

Our expert online voice therapists and vocal singing coaches, work collaboratively with transgender clients worldwide (except USA, Canada, and the Caribbean), helping you safely develop both your speaking and singing voice.

What do transgender singing lessons involve?

Our lessons follow a three-step, personalized approach to help you develop a confident and authentic singing voice:

Step 1: Voice Feminisation Training (12 sessions)

• With our expert voice therapist, you’ll work on pitch, resonance, intonation, rate and volume

• Builds a strong foundation for both speaking and singing

Step 2: Bespoke Collaborative Expert Singing & Voice Session (1 session)

• A bespoke, collaborative session with our expert voice therapist and singing coach

• Uses the same methods, terminology, and bespoke learning styles from your voice training sessions with our voice therapists.

• Supports the natural transition of your trained speaking voice into singing

Step 3: Ongoing Singing Coaching (4-6 sessions)

• Continued sessions with our singing coach to refine technique and build performance skills

• Focuses on vocal stamina, repertoire, expression, and integrating your authentic voice

• Personalized progression at your own pace, ensuring long-term vocal health

• You are welcome to continue singing lessons beyond this period as many people enjoy the sessions.

This approach is suitable for:

• New singers exploring both speaking and singing in their authentic voice

• Experienced singers transferring pre-transition skills into their post-transition voice

• Clients confident in their speaking voice who want guidance to sing safely and confidently

How do I learn to sing in my new voice after transitioning?

Learning to sing in your new voice takes expert guidance, practice, and a healthy approach. We help you:

• Build on the techniques from your voice training to safely sing in your authentic voice

• Gain a clear understanding of how to access and work with thin vocal folds.

• Receive targeted exercises to develop their middle voice (Mix Voice) and explore ways to extend their upper head register.

• Learn practical techniques for breath control and posture alignment to support healthy vocal production.

• Begin working towards a personalised warm-up routine designed to lighten and feminise the voice over the coming weeks.

• Use singing exercises to refine and enrich your vocal tone.

Our bespoke, collaborative approach combines the expertise of a voice therapist and our vocal coach, so your singing voice grows naturally from your trained speaking voice.

How many sessions will it take to learn to sing in my new voice?

It will take around 4-6 sessions following the joint collaborative session.

Can I take singing lessons if I’m confident in my speaking voice?

Yes! Many clients already feel confident speaking but want expert guidance to sing safely and effectively. We tailor lessons to your experience, helping you refine your technique, build stamina, and expand your repertoire.

Can transgender singing lessons be done online?

Absolutely! All lessons are online, making it easy for clients internationally (except USA, Canada, and the Caribbean) to work with our team.

How do I get started with transgender singing lessons?

You can book a free 15-minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to start exploring your authentic singing voice today.

How do you feminise your Voice ? It's not all about pitch.

Its not all about pitch

Sometimes the assumption of sounding more feminine is to focus on a higher pitched voice. However, a women’s voice is not only a higher-pitched version of a man’s voice. If we only focus on pitch, it is unlikely that you will be satisfied with the results of your therapy. In order to raise your pitch, we also need to change other aspects of your voice and speech. For natural-sounding speech we need to focus upon your intonation, resonance and other aspects to achieve a natural higher pitch. It’s important that you are able to use a flexible feminine voice that matches your personality and lifestyle, in a variety of situations.

What will happen in Voice Feminisation sessions?

Aside from pitch, we will be focusing upon:

Stress and intonation: Stress is often conveyed by using a higher pitch or louder intensity. Intonation patterns are pitch changes at the sentence level. Subtle differences in intonation patterns might hint at the speakers gender so its important to work on these aspects.

Resonance: Resonance amplifies sound and is often referred as projection in voice. We want to diminish the ‘chest’ sound that is often identified with the male voice.

Articulation: we focus on patterns for vowels and consonants that females produce that can be imitated in MTF voice training.

Volume: We might focus on reducing the loudness of your voice

Therapy is like building blocks – we build your voice together gradually. It takes practice and you will be given bespoke exercises after your sessions. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.

How much does Voice Feminisation Therapy cost?

If you send us an email we can send your further information about number of sessions required and costs.

We are Clinical Specialists in Voice, Voice Feminisation and Voice Coaching. Feel free to book a free consultation or email us for more information.

Can Voice Feminisation harm my voice?

Can voice feminisation training harm my voice?

If you are thinking about starting voice training or experiencing loss of voice following training, you may have seen this question or peoples experiences of voice loss following training - but what harm can actually be caused by voice training on your own?

There are lots of great resources for people to practice independently on youtube and through apps, but sometimes people experience voice difficulties following training.

Sometimes, by practicing independently, inappropriate voice use may strain or cause tension leading to voice damage known as Muscle Tension Dysphonia.  In some research studies, up to 30% of Male to female Transgender Voice clients had a voice disorder in their initial assessment caused by trauma to the voice box (larynx). Muscle Tension Dysphonia can be caused by excessive effort used when training your voice.

What is Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD)?

Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a change in the sound of your voice due to excessive muscle tension in and around the larynx (voice box). Muscle Tension Dysphonia produces vocal symptoms without any physical damage.

Muscle Tension Dysphonia in voice training can be caused by :

• Excessive elevation of the larynx

• Poor vocal hygiene ( see below ways to improve vocal hygiene)

• Excessive muscle tension in the larynx

• Inappropriate pitch level

• Excessive breathiness also leads to excessive tension in the larynx. 

What are the symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia?

The most common symptoms of muscle tension dysphonia include:

• Voice that sounds hoarse or strained

• Voice becomes weaker and more effort the longer your voice is used.

• Difficulty singing notes that used to be easy.

• Pain or tension in your throat 

• Feeling like there is something in your throat that needs to be cleared. 

If muscle tension dysphonia or hoarseness does not resolve after 3 weeks, it would be best to speak to your GP about a referral to ENT. They will perform an endoscopy (a camera up your nose - it is not painful) to examine your larynx. Voice therapy is the recommended treatment for muscle tension dysphonia.

What can I do to look after my voice whilst voice training?

The best way to prevent harm is to build strong vocal hygiene habits. These support your vocal folds, reduce strain, and help you get the most from your training.

Stop smoking. If you can’t give up, cut down. Smoking irritates and damages the vocal folds.

Try to drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of liquid a day (not including coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks). This will prevent dehydration of the vocal cords.

Avoid too much coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. These can dry out the vocal cords. Try drinking decaffeinated tea or coffee or follow an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

If your voice feels tired or strained then rest it. This is your bodys way of telling you to rest your voice

Try not to clear your throat unnecessarily. It can create excessive mucous and lead to a further need to clear your throat. Try drinking water instead or swallowing.

Try steaming to keep the vocal folds hydrated - just water adding no menthol.

How can a Specialist Speech Therapist in transgender voice training prevent harm?

Working with a Speech and Language Therapist who specialises in transgender voice can make a huge difference.

All our therapists at The Speech Network have expertise in both transgender voice training and voice therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia. Through therapy, you will learn how to:

• Raise your pitch safely, using resonance rather than throat tension

• Build breath support and reduce neck strain

• Develop a voice that feels authentic, comfortable, and sustainable

• Build confidence in your voice with positive feedback and bespoke exercises.

Research consistently shows that gender-affirming voice training is safe and effective when guided by an Speech therapist with specialist training improving satisfaction, perceived femininity, overall vocal health and confidence.

Can you do transgender voice training online?

Yes - all our therapists are experienced in providing effective therapy online in the comfort of you own home.

Do you have a waiting list?

No - you can be seeing within one week of your consultation.

Why Choose The Speech Network?

Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, each with a minimum of 12 years’ experience. They currently work, or have previously worked, as Senior Voice Therapists within the NHS. They are active members of the National Trans Voice and Communication Clinical Excellence Network.

All our therapists are fully registered and accredited, including:

• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)

• Members of the British Voice Association

Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.

GOOGLE REVIEWS FOR THE SPEECH NETWORK TEAM FOR TRANSGENDER VOICE TRAINING

*****

‘Having now come to the end of my sessions with Katy I can hand on heart say she has transformed my life. She has enabled me to find my true voice and given me the confidence to truly own it. Katy is such a fun, loving and caring therapist, and every session was a joy, and the exercises were fun and engaging. I owe her so much, and would recommend her in an instant. Thank you Katy!’ Paula

*****

‘Julie and the Speech Network were exactly what I needed.. Julie was wonderfully patient, knowledgable and encouraging’  Sebrina 

*****

'Katy is really nice person who is easy to get along with and you will enjoy speech Therapy with Katy. She is supportive and listens to your needs and concerns. She also listens to your voice and can precisely and constructively pinpoint areas which will benefit from some improvement, you will learn what makes a voice is more complex than you ever imagined. Katy will deconstruct this complexity into simple to digest steps and will coach you very well to bring your voice up to the next level, providing you with the tools, exercises and guidance to assist you. I really appreciate that we can have some light hearted fun at the same time as I'm taking on board the learning activities’ Karen.

Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Transgender Voice Training, with 5 * google reviews. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Training.

How can I train my voice to sound feminine?

Trans* Voice - Tips for learning and exploring your voice

In therapy you will be exploring your voice. Repetition outside the clinic room is important to change. It is comparable to going to the gym for your voice. You are developing flexibility and freedom for your voice. When learning and exploring try to:

Be Playful – try out new things

Be Mindful – notice without judging

Be Curious – use all of your sense to explore your voice

Be Imaginative – find your own images, hand gestures to support exercises

Be Positive

Be Regular – Be creative about when and where you practice – little and often.

Be Patient – Let things develop and transfer to situations that are easiest first

Be Reflective – record your voice, keep a diary

Be Sociable – try to step out of solo practice into getting support from others

Adapted from The Voice Book for Trans and Non-Binary People – Matthew Mills and Gillie Stoneham

For more information about Voice Feminisation Therapy click here

We are Clinical Specialists in Voice, Voice feminisation and Voice Coaching. Send us an email or book a free consultation for more information.

What can I do to look after my Voice?

• Stop smoking. If you can’t give up, cut down. Smoking irritates and damages the vocal folds. Talk to your GP about advice to support stopping smoking.

• Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods can cause stomach acid to move into the throat or oesophagus, causing heartburn or reflux. If you do experience reflux, talk to your GP about possible medications.

• Avoid too much coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. These can dry out the vocal cords. Try drinking decaffeinated tea or coffee or follow an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

• Avoid shouting and whispering

• If your voice feels tired or strained then rest it. This is your bodys way of telling you to rest your voice

• Try not to clear your throat unnecessarily. It can create excessive mucous and lead to a further need to clear your throat. Try drinking water instead or swallowing.

• Avoid dry and dusty atmospheres as they may dry out the vocal cords. Wear a mask in a dusty environment.

• Try to drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of liquid a day (not including coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks). This will prevent dehydration of the vocal cords.

• Try steaming to keep the vocal folds hydrated

Our Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.