Potential Effects Of Rhinoplasty On The Voice
Rhinoplasty, one of the most popular procedures performed, can drastically improve the appearance and function of your nose while improving your quality of life in the process. Even with all of the benefits this surgery offers, some individuals still have questions regarding the procedure. For instance, many people wonder if rhinoplasty will affect the sound of their voice. While many surgeons agree that most rhinoplasty procedures result in minimal to no changes in the voice, every situation is different, and concerns regarding your voice should be discussed during your consultation.
RESEARCH RESULTS
An article published in the February 2014 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) addressed this very issue. Dr. Kamran Khazaeni, along with colleagues of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, conducted a study to determine if changes occur in a person’s voice after undergoing rhinoplasty. The conclusion of the article stated that “changes in voice after rhinoplasty are perceptible to patients as well as to experts, but generally don’t cause problems with speech function.”
The study was performed on 27 people (22 women and five men) in Iran, where rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures. After patients underwent rhinoplasty surgery, researchers had each person answer a questionnaire about how they thought their voice sounded. Trained listeners were asked to monitor random before-and-after audios of each patient to determine if there was a significant change in the patients’ voices.
The listeners determined that any change in a patient’s voice after surgery was likely due to an increase in hyponasality. Hyponasal speech is a term used to describe the voice when there is an inadequate amount of air moving through the nasal cavity. This condition commonly occurs when a person has a stuffy nose. However, they noted that although the rhinoplasty may have slightly changed a patient’s voice, the change in sound would barely be noticed by the untrained ear, if at all. More importantly, the researchers concluded that any alteration in the voice did not negatively affect patients’ lives in any way.
RHINOPLASTY PROS AND CONS
After researching the positive and negative effects of rhinoplasty, evidence leans heavily in favor of the procedure. Corrected shape and profile of the nose, improved breathing, increased confidence, and enhanced facial balance are very common outcomes from this surgery, as opposed to rare cases where patients’ voices are negatively affected. Many famous singers have undergone rhinoplasty and continue to sing beautifully, and are completely satisfied with their rejuvenated nasal structure.
If you think a rhinoplasty may be beneficial for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Mesbahi Plastic Surgery today. Dr. Alex N. Mesbahi is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), and has extensive experience in performing nose surgery for men and women of all ages. He looks forward to meeting you soon and is dedicated to providing you with the best results possible.