how does helium change your voice?

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Also does it effect everyone the same? i heard this little girl at the supermarket that sounded like she was already on helium. if she breathed some would she get squeaky-er or does it cap off? B

In: Biology

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Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

When you speak normally your vocal cords vibrate at a certain speed or frequency this is usually the same when you are breathing air.
Helium is a much lighter gas than air, which is why balloons filled with it float so well. When it passes over your vocal cords they vibrate faster which makes the voice sound squeaky because of the frequency of the movement of the vocal cords.

Yes it will make a little girl or boy sound squeakier but as children’s voices are naturally more high pitched, the effect will be less pronounced so you might not notice it as much.

*Putting my fun police hat on now; it can be very dangerous to breathe in helium and other gases, so whilst funny it’s not recommended, particularly for children, as they might suffocate and no one wants that.*

Edit: Autoincorrect

Edit 2: Safety