Ep.248 Thyroid Tilt Under the Microscope: Perception vs Physiology with Dr Mathias Aaen

What’s really happening inside the larynx when we ‘tilt?’ In this episode, Alexa is joined by voice researcher Dr Mathias Aaen to unpack the science behind thyroid tilt - exploring what his latest studies reveal about pitch, vocal fold lengthening, and healthy singing. The pair cut through common misconceptions, translate research into studio-ready language, and ask the big question: are our teaching prompts actually doing what we think they are? If you love practical pedagogy grounded in solid science, this one’s for you. WHAT ’ S IN THIS PODCAST? 2:58 What is tilt? Anatomy & physiology 6:35 CVT framework 16:13 Study results 22:45 Physiology vs the perceptual 25:36 Teaching prompts 43:10 Vocal fold length and pitch change 48:14 Enemies of tilt 52:37 Common misconceptions about tilt About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Investigating Laryngeal “Tilt” on Same-pitch Phonation—Preliminary Findings of Vocal Mode, Metal and Density Parameters as Alternatives to Cricothyroid-Thyroarytenoid “Mix” by Mathias Aaen et al Correlating Degree of Thyroid Tilt Independent of fo Control as a Mechanism for Phonatory Density with EGG and Acoustic Measures across Loudness Conditions by Aaen. M et al Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.131 Mastering Research Papers: How to Read with Ease and Extract Knowledge Complete Vocal Institute Dr Ian Howell Dr Mark Tempesta Kerrie Obert Dr Ingo Titze Estill CVT App Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica Manuel Garcia Praat ABOUT THE GUEST Mathias Aaen, PhD, is a voice researcher, educator, and certified rehabilitation specialist. He serves as Honorary Researcher at Nottingham University Hospitals and VP of Research & Collaboration at CVI, and was previously a Fulbright Fellow at UC Berkeley. His work focuses on voice physiology, acoustics, auditory-perceptual analysis, and voice habilitation and rehabilitation, with groundbreaking research into the physiology and health of contemporary commercial music styles, including rock and heavy metal. He recently completed a PostDoc investigating the CVT framework as a clinical treatment for dysphonia in MTD and ABI patients. An award-winning researcher and Authorised CVT Teacher, Mathias is also an active performer who has worked with leading opera houses and voice professionals worldwide. SEE FULL BIO HERE 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training , we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW basttraining.com | Stay Updated