Making voice training easier for transgender individuals using a smartphone app
Improving the accessibility of transgender voice training with visual-acoustic biofeedback
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 ID | NIH-10991842 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are transgender and gender diverse individuals experiencing voice dysphoria.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience voice dysphoria or those who are not interested in voice training may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Novak, Vesna Dominika — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Novak, Vesna Dominika
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 below.