Speaking Faster Impacts Vocal Fatigue

What is it about?

How does rate of speech affect our vocal fatigue? For the millions of professionals who rely on their voice for employment, speaking at a faster than normal rate might be part of the job description. The current study tested a vocal loading task that required participants to alter their speaking rate over the course of 45-minutes of reading. The results bring to light some interesting gender differences.

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Photo by Melyna Valle on Unsplash

Photo by Melyna Valle on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The main result of this study found that speaking faster contributed to an increase in vocal fatigue. Another interesting finding is that men spoke 8% less than the women, spoke with less inflection when speaking quickly and spoke significantly softer than women. This is important, as increased voice use at a loud level can lead to a higher incidence of vocal fatigue and subsequent voice disorders. This research has implications for professional voice users who are required to speak at fast rates. Regardless of gender, the study clearly indicates that these speakers are at risk for vocal fatigue, which is an occupational hazard.