Current Surgical Concepts in Transgender Voice and Communication (2023 AMW) Session
2023 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This expert lecture by 2 laryngologists, each with over 30 years of experience, focuses on the knowledge needed by otolaryngologists to help guide transgender individuals through the process of aligning patterns of voice and communication with gender. Recent changes in societal understanding and acceptance of diversity have led to an increase in the number of individuals able to express that their gender at birth does not align with their gender identity. Therefore, now more than ever, a significant number of individuals who have gone through puberty based on their assigned gender at birth are openly seeking assistance to better align their current presentation with their gender. Since gender identity is heavily predicated on both physical appearance and style of communication, otolaryngologists are frequently asked to help patients with this transition. This newly identified need has led to a practice gap as most practicing otolaryngologists were not trained in this currently relevant topic. Comprehensive otolaryngologists and laryngologists should be familiar with the state of practice to help guide their patients through this process. They must understand the effects of behavioral alteration on gender perception as well as the state-of-the-art surgical advances that are now available to aid transgender individuals.Using didactic and case presentation format, the purpose of this course is to present characteristics of voice and communication that listeners use to infer gender of the speaker, to present how behavioral interventions can be used to align voice and communication with gender in a sustainable manner, and to present advances/developments in surgical practice that have allowed reliable pitch alteration.OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Discuss the vocal characteristics associated with stereotypical cisgendere female and male speech .and understand the potential behavioral interventions that may lead to sustainable changes in speaking patterns to align voice and communication with genderOUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Understand the endoscopic surgical techniques useful for elevating pitch and the open surgical techniques for lowering pitch.OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Discuss the indications for surgical intervention, the potential benefits in aiding a patient in transition, the expected outcomes on pitch and voice in general, and potential complications if surgery is not performed with attention to detail.BACKGROUND STATEMENT: There is an increased clinical demand for management of vocal issues due to transgender expression. Advances in our understanding of surgical techniques and their potential benefits for our patients have created the need for additional training to close this practice gap.