Glottal Fry

WHAT IS Glottal Fry?

A glottal fry is recognized when the vocal folds vibrate very slowly. The vibration causes a slow, low pitch vocal burst, making the voice sound “crackly” or “creaky”. The airflow rate and the air pressure that produces vocal fold vibration are both low and lung volume is less. Many people produce a glottal fry at the end of a long phrase when it feels like one has run out of breath. Producing a glottal fry sparingly will not cause vocal harm. However, if produced excessively, it can be fatiguing.

GENERAL TREATMENT

A glottal fry can be eliminated with treatment by vocal therapy, provided by a speech therapist.

In other cases a therapist may teach one how to produce a glottal fry to improve other vocal quality problems; for example, stridency.

 OUR APPROACH AT NORTH SHORE PEDIATRIC THERAPY

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, the goal of vocal therapy is to help one produce a voice of the best possible pitch, loudness, and quality in relation to the individual’s age, gender, and culture. To eliminate a glottal fry, one will be taught to improve respiratory support and to slightly elevate one’s pitch.