Do you know a young girl or woman with a raspy voice?

If you’ve noticed more adolescent girls and young women with raspy or squeaky voices, blame vocal fry. 

It’s been a gradual trend and some girls don’t realize their speech patterns can permanently damage their vocal chords. Vocal fry is a low creaky vibration caused by fluttering of the vocal chords, typically dragging out that last vowel. Think Kardashiaaaan. Some experts consider it vocal abuse and even a self-inflicted disorder. Vocal fry is somewhat of an epidemic, starting in middle and high school with about 2/3 of college age women speaking it. 

Once out of college, these women may want to consider dropping the vocal fry. A recent Duke University study found that hiring managers were less likely to hire applicants speaking fry as they were perceived as less trustworthy and competent, and in some cases, downright annoying. Vocal fry is habit forming that can fry your vocal chords. It causes muscle strain, swelling and potentially even lesions and other damage.