Do you feel your voice straining after speaking for some time? To take care of your voice, we have 10 tips for a healthy voice. Voice hygiene is important for everyone, our voices being one if our main used methods of communication everyday.
Tip 1. Learn how to use your voice well! Are you required to talk or sing a lot everyday? Optimising your voice production will ensure that you do not damage your voice.
Tip 2. Keep your voice hydrated! Hydration is very important for your vocal folds (the two flaps of skin in your larynx or voice box that vibrate to create sound). Drink at least 2-3 litres of water per day. If you spend a lot of time in a dry environment, a humidifier or steamer will also help.
Tip 3. Warm up your voice before using it. Try saying different vowels and sounds, rise up from a low to high pitch and back down again.
Tip 4. Be careful when talking and singing in a noisy environment. You might be unintentionally straining your voice when trying to be heard in these situations.
Tip 5. Think about using amplification e.g. a microphone when speaking to a larger crowd.
Tip 6. Avoid clearing your throat or coughing excessively! When you do this, your vocal folds are coming together with force, causing damage.
Tip 7. Do not smoke and avoid smoky environments.
Tip 8. Take care of your voice during allergies and upper respiratory tract infections. Your voice is more susceptible to damage at these times.
Tip 9. Certain drinks and medications can dehydrate your voice. These include alcohol, caffeinated drinks (e.g., coffee and Coca Cola) antihistamines, cold and flu medication. Try to re-hydrate! Spicy and fried food can also lead to heartburn or acid reflux, which can also affect your voice.
Tip 10. Try not to scream and shout (and whisper for an extended period of time)! These can all damage your vocal folds.
If you find that your voice sounds strained, hoarse or husky for more than a few weeks, and you do not have cold symptoms or smoke, please seek our Speech Language Therapy team and/or an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist for an evaluation. They will be able to determine the cause, next steps, and conduct voice therapy if needed.