What is the primary physical adjustment to change vocal intensity?

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The primary physical adjustment to change vocal intensity involves increased glottal resistance. This adjustment is crucial because it allows for greater subglottal pressure generated by the lungs. When the vocal folds come together and create more resistance against the airflow from the lungs, they vibrate more forcefully, producing a louder sound.

Increased glottal resistance enables the vocal folds to maintain closure longer and manage the airflow more effectively, contributing to a more intense sound output. This mechanism enhances the overall amplitude of the sound waves produced, thereby increasing vocal intensity.

Understanding vocal intensity is essential as it impacts communication and speech effectiveness, and recognizing how glottal resistance plays a role in this process is foundational to studying voice production and its physiological aspects.