Making voice training easier for transgender individuals using a smartphone app
Official title: Improving the accessibility of transgender voice training with visual-acoustic biofeedback
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-10991842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a friendly smartphone app to help transgender and gender diverse people feel more comfortable with their voices by providing easy exercises and feedback to help them train their voice to match their gender identity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 21, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $214,998 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021537-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are transgender and gender diverse individuals experiencing voice dysphoria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience voice dysphoria or those who are not interested in voice training may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the quality of life for transgender and gender diverse individuals by addressing voice dysphoria, which occurs when a person's voice does not align with their gender identity. The project will develop a smartphone application that provides gender-affirming voice and communication training (GAVT) using visual-acoustic biofeedback, allowing users to see and hear how to modify their voice. By offering exercises and real-time feedback, the app seeks to make voice training more accessible and effective compared to traditional methods that require in-person sessions with speech-language pathologists.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the quality of life for transgender individuals by providing them with tools to achieve a voice that aligns with their gender identity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using technology for voice training, but this approach with visual-acoustic biofeedback is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Novak, Vesna Dominika — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Novak, Vesna Dominika
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.