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Key elements of the voice -

The sound of our voices can be broken down into three key parts. Our power, which is our breath, that makes air flow. Our vocal folds, which vibrate. And our mouth, nose, and throat, which work as an amplifier.

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Our vocal cords are actually folds -

The stretchy fibrous tissue we have inside our larynxes are more like skin folds and not really cords, as we call them.

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Unique instrument -

Our vocal cords are a unique instrument, which can't be replicated. In fact, it would be nearly impossible to create an instrument that worked in the same way as our vocal cords do, according to a University of Utah study.

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Vocal cords help keeps us alive -

Not only do our vocal cords allow us to emit sounds, but they also protect our airway and trachea, protecting us from choking, as well as regulating airflow into the lungs.

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The relationship between voice and brain -

Speaking is more of a function of the left hemisphere of the brain, whereas singing is more from the right hemisphere.

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The relationship between voice and brain -

This explains why some people stutter when they talk but are able to sing, as well as why some victims of strokes are unable to speak but can sing.

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You can sing -

Singers are not born with special vocal cords. They train them, as well as their lungs, to be able to sing well. With practice, most people are able to sing basic songs in tune. The sound of your voice, however, is unique, so you probably won't sound like your favorite singer.

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Why you hate your own voice -

Do you hate the sound of your own voice? You're not alone. Your voice vibrates and resonates in your mouth, throat, and head, so it sounds different to you. When you listen to your voice recorded, you can hear the difference. It usually sounds higher and brighter, which you might not like that much!

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Can you feel the vibration? -

You can feel the most basic sound produced by your vocal cords vibrating by saying the letter "Z." Wrap your hand around your throat and say "zzzzzz" and then "ssssss" and feel the difference.

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One word says a lot about you -

The University of Glasgow conducted a study where around 500 listeners analyzed the trustworthiness of voices. All they said was "hello." Voices that had "personality" or variations, as opposed to those that were mostly flat, were perceived as more trustworthy.

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Pitch can reveal attraction levels -

Next time you go on a date, notice the other person's pitch. A study has found that both males and females actually lower their pitch when they're speaking to someone they're attracted to.

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Your voice says a lot about you -

Your voice can give clues about personality traits, socioeconomic status, and even things such as age.

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Robot vs. human voice -

We still prefer the real thing. But maybe it's because, thus far, we haven't been able to reproduce authentic-sounding human voices using machines.

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The language with the most sounds -

Some languages have a lot of sounds. ǃXóõ, also known as the Taa language (spoken by some people in Botswana and Namibia), has a whopping 112 sounds (including five kinds of clicks). For comparison's sake, English has about 40 distinct sounds.

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We like deep voices -

We just love lower-pitched voices. Not only do we like the sound of them, people with deep voices are perceived as being more competent, having more integrity, and even having more physical power.

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Deepest voice -

American Tim Storms holds the Guinness World Record for the lowest vocal note by a male: G -7 (0.189 Hertz). For reference, men usually speak at a frequency of 65 to 260 Hertz.

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Widest vocal range -

Not only does he have the deepest voice, but Tim Storms also holds the Guinness World Record for the widest vocal range of any human: 10 octaves. For the sake of comparison, most singers have about three octaves (barring a few exceptional ones such as Mariah Carey, who has a range of five octaves).

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It's natural to shout when you're at a party -

Have you found yourself shouting at another person at a party with loud music? It's normal to involuntarily increase the volume of our voices in loud environments. Not only that, but we also change the duration of the syllables and the pitch. This is called the Lombard effect.

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Whispering is not good for your larynx -

When we have a sore throat, we have a tendency to whisper, but this can actually do more harm than good. Whispering squeezes the vocal cords, so it's better to just speak gently in your normal voice.

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Unborn babies do know their mom's voice -

Babies in the womb can indeed recognize their mother's voice at around 25 weeks of development.

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You may actually be a voice professional (and don't know it) -

Do you use your voice professionally? And by professionally we mean do you need your voice to perform your job? This is not just reserved for actors, broadcasters, or singers. Teachers, receptionists, and retail professionals, among others, also qualify as voice professionals.

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Castrati -

Most boys will go through an increase in testosterone levels in puberty that causes the cartilage and vocal cords to grow, and the larynx also shifts (the Adam's apple becomes visible).

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Castrati -

Except for the Castrati: a group of young boys who sang in church choirs. This is because they were castrated before puberty to maintain their high-pitch voices. The Italian castrato singer Alessandro Moreschi (pictured) was reportedly the only castrato to record solo.

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Phonautograph -

The phonautograph was invented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville in 1860. The machine captured sound waves and was the first device to record the human voice.

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Yodeling -

We can do amazing things with our voices. Yodeling is one of them. It's all about quickly alternating between a low pitch (aka chest voice) and falsetto (aka head voice).

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Why we lose our voices? -

Swollen vocal cords will vibrate differently. Severe inflammation or infection can indeed swell the area so much that we are unable to make a sound.

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Talking during flights might be detrimental -

Air on airplanes is very dry (around 8-12% humidity). The lack of moisture can be detrimental to your vocal cords, so spare them.

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How to take care of your voice -

There are a few things you can do to keep your voice in top-notch condition. Stay hydrated, don't smoke (including passive smoking), avoid eating spicy foods, and get enough rest.

Sources: (The Healthy) (Mental Floss) (Discover Magazine) (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication)

See also: Hollywood's most recognizable voices

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