Voice is still the most powerful means of communication despite the information explosion in written,
printed and digitalized means of communication. Loss of voice even for a single day can affect the day to day
activities of each and every one of us, the situation being worse for those who require their voice as an
integral part of their profession like teachers, singers, the clergy, television anchors etc.
As laryngologists, it is our duty to create awareness on patients with strained voice or a vocal fatigueon the
healthy voicing techniques.
Here are a few tips to be kind with your voice
Vocal hygiene is a daily regimen to be followed to avoid damage to vocal cords, just like a guitarist or violinist takes care of their instrument. Here are a few facts on ‘do’s and don’ts ‘of voicing to maintain good vocal health
Lubrication is the holy grail of voice preservation. The more hydrated the vocal cords are, the less strained the voice would be. Frequent sips of water help to provide adequate lubrication to vocal cord. ’Jalasadhaka’ had been in practice among singers since ancient days. The science behind it is that, the moist air which you breathe in soothes the vocal cords.
Regular healthy and balanced diet and good sleep is a part of good vocal hygiene program. Caffeine and certain medications can dry up the throat affecting the voice. It can also be gastric irritant, stimulating acid reflux and may affect the voice badly. Alcohol and smoking can also affect the quality of voice
Judicious voice use would be a better and practical option rather than an absolute voice rest. This can be achieved by avoiding
Good amplification system especially for teachers if addressing a group of more than 30 listeners
Hormonal influences can affect the voice too. Excessive voice use during pre menstrual period can hamper the voice ,this should be avoided and taken care of as and when possible