The hormone that gives boys a deep voice is testosterone.
How Testosterone Changes the Voice
At puberty, boys' bodies start producing significantly more testosterone. This hormone triggers several changes, including those affecting the voice. Here's how it works:
- Larynx Growth: Testosterone causes the larynx, also known as the voice box, to grow bigger. This enlargement is a primary reason for the deepening of the voice.
- Vocal Cord Thickening: As the larynx grows, the vocal cords within it also get thicker and longer. These changes lower the pitch of the voice.
| Hormone | Effect on Voice |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Causes the larynx to grow larger, leading to thicker vocal cords and a deeper voice. |
The process is gradual. A boy's voice often "cracks" or sounds inconsistent during this period of change as his body adapts to the higher levels of testosterone. The increased size of the larynx and the thickening of vocal cords make the male voice sound deeper and richer compared to children's voices.
