Making voice training easier for transgender individuals using smartphone technology
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 real-time feedback to help them adjust 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-11237219 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 to help users modify their voice pitch and resonance. By offering accessible exercises and real-time feedback, the app seeks to overcome barriers associated with traditional voice training methods, which can be costly and time-consuming. The goal is to create a user-friendly tool that empowers individuals to achieve a voice that better matches their gender identity.
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 accessible tools to achieve voice congruence.
How similar studies have performed: While some smartphone apps for voice training exist, this approach is novel in its integration of visual-acoustic biofeedback specifically tailored for transgender voice training.
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.