What happens to the voice during puberty?

• A. Larynx Enlarges, Vocal Cords Lengthen and Thicken
• B. Vocal Cords Shorten and Thicken
• C. Larynx Shrinks and Vocal Cords Loosen
• D. Breath Support Decreases

Answer: (A)

Puberty changes the voice mainly because the larynx grows and the vocal folds (cords) lengthen and thicken. This increases the mass and length of the vibrating tissue, which lowers the rate of vibration and produces a deeper, fuller pitch. Hormonal changes, especially testosterone in boys, drive this growth, though girls also experience laryngeal growth and a subtle deepening of tone. You might notice temporary voice cracks as the system adjusts. Breath support is important for steady singing or speaking, but it isn’t the reason the voice drops in pitch during puberty. Shortening or thinning of the cords, or shrinking of the larynx, would not produce the typical deepening observed.