Final answer:
A voice produced when vocal folds are barely touching is typically a falsetto, characterized by a higher pitch due to increased tension on the vocal cords from the reduced distance between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the vocal folds are barely touching or barely separate during sound production, the type of voice typically produced is referred to as a falsetto. In this vocal register, the vibrations occur along the edges of the folds with reduced involvement from the bulk of the vocal fold tissue. This falsetto voice is characterized by a higher pitch, which is a result of the tension on the vocal cords being increased as the distance between the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone is reduced.
The process involves the vocal folds which open and close rhythmically, creating a pressure buildup that is necessary for sound production. As air travels up and past the vocal cords, it causes them to vibrate, producing sound. When the tense muscles of the larynx relax, the pitch of the voice decreases, and when they tighten, the pitch increases. Likewise, the voice becomes louder with increased airflow from the lungs, which enhances the amplitude of the sound pressure wave.