Creaky Voice Or Extreme Vocal Fry In Young Women

An extreme use of a voice feature with a lowered rough sound called vocal fry or creaky voice has become increasingly recognised in American, British and New Zealand English speaking young women. It is not regarded as an involuntary voice disorder, but rather as a volitional strategy. Intermittent vocal fry is recognised as a common voice feature, particularly at the end of a sentence. It occurs at the lowest range of a speaker's F0 (pitch). We present evidence that vocal fry use is increasing in young New Zealand women. This article is to highlight the new phenomenon of extreme and sustained vocal fry as a vocal style, which is the first voice feature to have come to the attention of the general public through the news media.