What Does It Mean to Have a Nasal Voice?

When people describe a “nasal voice,” they usually mean that your voice sounds as though it’s coming more from your nose than your mouth, even when you’re not producing nasal consonants like "M," "N," or "NG." This is known as hypernasality, where the sound energy resonates excessively in the nasal cavity.

But why does this happen? And more importantly, can it be changed?

A man with a wooden peg on his nose because he has a nasal voice

The Physiology Behind Nasality

When you speak, air travels up from your lungs between your vocal folds, creating vibration. That sound then moves through your throat and into your mouth and nasal cavities. The structure that determines whether sound travels into your mouth or your nose is your soft palate (also called the velum). You can think of it like a small muscular trap door/attic hatch at the back of your mouth:

When it lifts, air flows out through the mouth (oral resonance).
When it drops, air flows into the nasal passages (nasal resonance).

We naturally use both pathways. In English, nasal consonants like M, N, and NG require the soft palate to drop so sound exits through the nose. But for all other sounds, the soft palate should lift, blocking off nasal airflow.

Hypernasality occurs when the soft palate doesn’t lift adequately for non-nasal sounds.

Why Do Some People Sound Nasal?

There are many reasons why someone may have a nasal voice:

Medical conditions (e.g., allergies, congestion, enlarged adenoids, deviated septum, cleft palate)
Congenital anatomy differences
Muscular habits developed over time
Speech pattern conditioning or learned behaviours

If you suspect an anatomical or medical issue, consult an ENT or speech-language pathologist first. But if no structural cause exists, habitual muscle use is often the root cause—and that’s where voice coaching can help.

Can You Train Yourself to Stop Sounding Nasal?

Yes—but like any muscular habit, it requires:

Awareness
Consistent practice
Patience

The soft palate isn’t something we typically control consciously, so gaining voluntary control takes time. But with focused exercises, you can train your proprioception (your ability to sense your own muscle movement) and develop better control.

An open mouth showing the teeth and tongue and soft palate

Exercises to Reduce Hypernasality

1. Develop Awareness with “Bank”

Say the word "bank."
Notice that the "N" (often produced as "NG") requires your soft palate to drop, sending sound into your nose.
Then for the "K," the soft palate lifts to block nasal airflow.
Slow the word down dramatically, focusing on the switch between nasal and oral airflow.

2. Nasal vs. Oral Drill

Say quickly: "muh-nuh-muh-nuh-muh-nuh" (nasal sounds)
Then: "buh-duh-buh-duh-buh-duh" (oral sounds)
Notice the difference in airflow and resonance.

3. Contrast Sentences

Choose a sentence without nasal consonants, such as:
"Take it to the place where people love to party."
Say it once with exaggerated nasality (drop the soft palate).
Say it again directing sound into your mouth (lift the soft palate).

4. Simulate Blocked Nasality

Pretend you have a stuffy nose. This naturally encourages lifting the soft palate.
Use this sensation as a reference point for oral resonance.

With practice, you’ll begin to feel and hear when your soft palate is lifted.

Why This Takes Time

Changing speech habits, especially those tied to subtle muscle movements, requires:

Repetition
Sensory feedback
Mental focus

Be patient. Much like strengthening a new muscle at the gym, you’re building awareness and control over time. Professional coaching can significantly accelerate this process.

FAQs

Is a nasal voice always bad?
No. Nasality has a valid function in speech, and some accents naturally contain more nasal quality. But excessive nasality may affect clarity or listener perception.

Can medical issues cause hypernasality?
Yes. Conditions like allergies, sinus infections, or anatomical differences may contribute. It’s wise to rule out medical causes first.

Will exercises work for everyone?
If your hypernasality is habit-based and not structural, targeted voice work can bring excellent results with commitment.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be stuck with a nasal-sounding voice if it’s getting in your way. By building soft palate awareness, training proper airflow, and developing new vocal habits, you can:

Improve clarity
Sound more resonant
Speak with greater confidence

Voice work is not about “fixing” who you are. It’s about expanding your ability to express yourself freely and clearly.

If you’d like one-to-one guidance on reducing nasality or developing your voice more broadly, click here to learn more about coaching options.

Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with over 18 years of experience helping professionals improve vocal clarity, resonance, and confidence.

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