Tips for Coughing and Throat Clearing Across the Gender Spectrum

When adjusting your pitch, it’s not uncommon to want to clear your throat. However, it’s important to try to avoid excessive throat clearing because it causes your vocal folds to slam together, which can eventually lead to damage to the vocal fold tissue. The same goes for coughing. Below are some tips for safe coughing and throat clearing techniques across the gender spectrum. 

 Higher, Lighter & Brighter 

Before a cough, gently hum (mmm) at your target pitch. The target pitch will differ depending upon the individual, but a good starting point are the notes E3 (165 Hz) or F3 (175 Hz). This ensures that you will maintain a higher pitch before initiating your cough. Try to make the sound “eh-heh-eh-heh” short in duration, several in sequence. Widening the lips in a smile posture and keeping the tongue forward (like when saying eee) will create a lighter and brighter sound. 

Instead of clearing your throat, try taking a sip of water. If you still feel the urge to clear your throat, hum at your target pitch (mmm), gently clear your throat and continue to hum.

Deeper, Darker & Bigger 

Before a cough, gently hum (mmm) at your target pitch. Target pitch will differ depending upon the individual, but a good starting point are the notes D# (156 Hz) or D3 (146 Hz). This ensures that you will maintain a deeper pitch before initiating your cough. Try to make the sound “eh-heh-eh-heh” short in duration, several in sequence. Lowering the jaw and moving your tongue farther back in your mouth (like when you’re yawning) will create a deeper and darker sound. 

Instead of clearing your throat, try taking a sip of water. If you still feel the urge to clear your throat, hum at your target pitch (mmm), gently clear your throat and continue to hum.

Remember that coughing and throat clearing are not good for your voice, so please make sure to practice these skills only once in a while.

References

Adler, R., Hirsch, S., & Pickering, J. (Eds.). (2019). Voice and communication therapy for the transgender/gender diverse client: A comprehensive clinical guide (3rd ed.). San Diego, CA: Plural.

Hancock, A. B., & Siegfriedt, L. L. (2020). Transforming voice and communication with transgender and gender-diverse people: An evidenced-based process. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing, Inc.