Voice-Gender Incongruence and Voice Health Information-Seeking Behaviors in the Transgender Community.

Purpose Voice-gender incongruence has predominantly been investigated in the past through the perspective of feminine-identifying individuals seeking feminine-sounding voices. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported voice-gender incongruence in the transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming (TNG) community and to describe health information-seeking behaviors exhibited when individuals attempt to address their voice and communication challenges. Method An online survey was designed with questions targeting the self-reported prevalence of voice-gender incongruence, characteristics of this complaint, and health information-seeking behaviors. Valid standardized measures, including the Voice Handicap Index and the Barriers to Help-Seeking Scale, were also included. Results Four hundred five participants were sorted into three groups based on gender identity (feminine, masculine, gender-neutral) to facilitate comparative analysis. Ninety-six percent of participants reported the experience of voice-gender incongruence in the past, and 88% reported that they currently experience voice-gender incongruence. There were no significant differences in reported voice-gender incongruence between groups. Voice Handicap Index scores were significantly higher for those who currently experience voice-gender incongruence (