Have you ever noticed a gravelly, creaky tone when you’re speaking? That’s vocal fry. Whether you realize it or not, it is shaping how others perceive you, and it’s not the most efficient or effective way to use your voice.
What Causes Vocal Fry? 
Vocal fry occurs when there isn’t enough airflow to keep the vocal cords vibrating smoothly. Instead, they stop and start, creating a popping, rattling, or creaking sound. Some describe it like bacon sizzling in a pan; I think of it like the sound of a rusty door hinge creaking open.
Vocal fry happens most often when speaking in a low pitch, when tired, at the end of a sentence, or any time the vocal energy drops. It is also more present in voices with a harsh or rough quality. For me, I notice vocal fry in the morning, before I’ve had a chance to move my body much or warm up my voice, and also at the end of a day when I’ve exerted a lot of energy, or used my voice a lot, and I’m tired. If you suffer from acid reflux, that can impact vocal fry.
Sometimes, I use vocal fry on purpose, for example, to create a creepy sound when telling stories. But usually, I try to avoid vocal fry, and recommend the same to my clients. It actually requires more energy and is harder on the body to keep speaking in vocal fry than it does to speak in a well supported voice. Think of it like starting a car. It takes a lot of energy to get the car started – and you shouldn’t hold your car in that state of trying to ignite the engine. You want to avoid excessive cranking of the starter motor. Same thing is true of your voice. Don’t hold it in the starting position – instead, warm it up, and keep that steady flow of breath supporting it to create a smooth sound.
Both men and women speak with vocal fry, although it seems more prominent in young women especially. In one study of female, college-aged American speakers, two-thirds were found to use vocal fry.
If I hear frequent vocal fry in a child’s voice, I get curious with the parent around that as it would be unusual at this younger, more vivacious age to have this vocal pattern show up.
Why do people use it?
- It can be a way of fitting in, sounding relaxed, or giving off a detached, “cool” vibe.
- It occurs naturally at the bottom of an individual’s vocal register, which means people trying to speak on a lower pitch may fall into vocal fry more often.
What Are the Impacts of Vocal Fry?
- Professional Perception
Vocal fry can negatively impact how speakers are perceived, especially in professional settings. Studies show:
- Speakers with vocal fry were rated significantly lower in credibility than those without it.
- Women with vocal fry were perceived as less competent, educated, and hirable.
- Single words spoken in vocal fry were harder to understand.
One study concluded:
“Relative to a normal speaking voice, young adult female voices exhibiting vocal fry are perceived as less competent, less educated, less trustworthy, less attractive, and less hirable. These results suggest that young American females should avoid using vocal fry speech in order to maximize labor market opportunities.”
While vocal fry can occur in anyone, it seems to be particularly damaging for young women in professional settings.
- Social Dynamics
Beyond professional settings, vocal fry also plays a role in social interactions. While some see it as trendy or youthful, others view it through the lens of gender and communication biases. Women’s vocal habits are often more scrutinized than men’s, making vocal fry a point of debate rather than just a neutral speech pattern.
- Health Considerations
Frequent use of vocal fry—especially in high-stress or demanding vocal environments—can strain the vocal cords. Over time, this could lead to vocal fatigue or discomfort if not managed properly.
How to Improve or Reduce Vocal Fry
If vocal fry is affecting your communication style or professional goals, there are several ways to adjust your speaking habits:
- Focus on Breath Support
Developing strong breath support—through deeper inhales and steady exhales—is key. A well-supported breath provides the airflow necessary for a strong, resonant sound—the opposite of vocal fry.
- Maintain an Appropriate Pitch
Speaking in a comfortable, natural pitch range prevents vocal fry. Avoid lowering your pitch excessively, especially at the end of sentences. Vocal exercises can help you identify and sustain a pitch that keeps your voice clear and strong.
- Warm Up Your Voice
Vocal warm-ups can improve vocal quality and reduce strain. Try:
- Humming to gently activate your vocal cords.
- Lip trills to encourage steady airflow.
- Sirens (gliding your voice up and down) to stretch your pitch range and develop vocal strength.
- Monitor Your Speech Habits
Awareness is key. Record yourself speaking to identify patterns of vocal fry and make adjustments.
- Stay Hydrated
Proper hydration is essential for vocal cord lubrication and reducing strain. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your voice in peak condition.
- Work with a Coach
Consider working with a voice and speech coach to get clarity and personalized exercises tailored to your specific needs.
Conclusion
Your voice is one of your most powerful tools, and vocal fry will diminish it. By increasing your awareness and strengthening your voice, you can communicate with more clarity, confidence, and impact. Start by noticing your vocal habits—and if needed, take steps to improve.
Whether you’re leading a meeting, delivering a speech, or having a casual conversation, your voice deserves to be heard—loud and clear.
Sources:
Bryn Taylor, Karen Wheeler-Hegland, Kenneth J. Logan. “Impact of Vocal Fry and Speaker Gender on Listener Perceptions of Speaker Personal Attributes” Journal of Voice, 16 November 2022. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199722002922
Rindy C Anderson, Casey A Klofstad, William J Mayew, Mohan Venkatachalam. “Vocal Fry May Undermine the Success of Young Women in the Labor Market” PLoS One. 2014 May 28;9(5):e97506. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097506
Cammenga, Kaleigh Susan. “The effect of vocal fry on speech intelligibility” 2018, Master’s Thesis. https://d.lib.msu.edu/etd/16394
Lesley Wolk, Nassima B. Abdelli-Beruh, Dianne Slavin. “Habitual Use of Vocal Fry in Young Adult Female Speakers” Journal of Voice. Volume 26, Issue 3, May 2012, Pages e111-e116 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199711000701
Camilla combines careful listening, acceptance, enthusiasm and challenge to help all her clients reach their maximum potential.
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