TIPS TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY TIPS TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY VOICEVOICE

By Andal KrishnamurthyBy Andal Krishnamurthy

One simple word.......One simple word.......WATERWATER

• The vocal cords vibrate against each other to produce sound and is The vocal cords vibrate against each other to produce sound and is vibrated extremely fast. So the vocal cords needs to be lubricated.vibrated extremely fast. So the vocal cords needs to be lubricated.

• In order to produce enough thin mucus for this lubrication, the body In order to produce enough thin mucus for this lubrication, the body needs water. Vocal hydration is extremely important, so drink lots of needs water. Vocal hydration is extremely important, so drink lots of water. water.

• Be sure to drink room temperature water before, during and after Be sure to drink room temperature water before, during and after singing. singing.

• Drinking anything but room temperature water shocks the vocal cords: Drinking anything but room temperature water shocks the vocal cords: cold water tenses the muscles (like jumping in a cold swimming pool does cold water tenses the muscles (like jumping in a cold swimming pool does to your whole body) and drinking warm water or substance relaxes the to your whole body) and drinking warm water or substance relaxes the muscles. muscles.

• It is also important to note that water must be absorbed by the body It is also important to note that water must be absorbed by the body before being redistributed to your voice organ, so drink water all day before being redistributed to your voice organ, so drink water all day long. long.

TipsTips

• Caffeine and alcohol pull water out of your system and deplete the vocal folds of needed lubrication.

• Caffeinated drinks include coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Small amounts of these beverages are acceptable but must be counterbalanced by drinking more water.

Dry Air Environment• Another factor that can affect lubrication is a dry air

environment. The cause can be from gas furnaces, air conditioners, and climates with a low amount of moisture in the air.

• Using a humidifier at night can help to obtain what speech therapists refer to as external hydration.

• Also, turning your shower to extremely hot water and stepping to the side to inhale the water vapor without getting burned can be very helpful in this regard.

How Much Water?

•How much water? Many doctors have different opinions. Some say 64 ounces per day. But most experts will agree on this: the more the better. So learn to like it - it will be your best friend for life if you want a healthy voice.

Very Important• As professional users of the voice, it's hard to do

EVERY SINGLE THING just right. But here is an important rule of thumb: When the vocal cords are well lubricated, they can take more abuse when we neglect to do everything just right. And when we do occasionally abuse them unknowingly, they will heal and recover faster when they are well watered

Throat ClearingThroat Clearing• This is a common problem with many professional voice This is a common problem with many professional voice

users. It is often seen in people with excessive mucus or users. It is often seen in people with excessive mucus or GERD (reflux disease). Your doctor will give you GERD (reflux disease). Your doctor will give you medications to help treat these conditions, but it is medications to help treat these conditions, but it is important that this habit be eliminated. important that this habit be eliminated.

• Throat clearing is extremely traumatic to the vocal Throat clearing is extremely traumatic to the vocal cords, leading to excessive wear and tear. cords, leading to excessive wear and tear.

• When you feel the need to clear your throat you should When you feel the need to clear your throat you should try the following strategies: swallow, have a sip of try the following strategies: swallow, have a sip of water, or clear your throatwater, or clear your throat silently without allowing your vocal cords to touch (your doctor or one of our speech therapists/pathologists will be glad to demonstrate this).

Vocal Abuse/OveruseVocal Abuse/Overuse

• When we use our voice professionally, this puts a lot of demand on the vocal cords.

• vocal cords are very delicate. You must take care of them. If you do not take care of them and practice good vocal hygiene, you WILL develop some type of vocal problem or disorder.

Few TipsFew Tips• (A) After you finish using your voice (auctioneering,

singing, lecturing, etc...), give it some rest. You don't have to sit around the house at night using sign language, but give it some down time to recover. And remember to drink water before and after you use it.

• Avoid shouting and screaming. There are much better ways to get people's attention, and these methods will not traumatize the vocal cords as screaming will.

Few TipsFew Tips

• Be careful of Antihistamines/Decongestants: These drugs are commonly found in cold preparations and allergy medications. They will result in a drying effect on the vocal cords which is detrimental. Sometimes we have to take these because we are sick, but remember to be careful with them. Drink more water when you do take them, and be very careful not to strain or overuse your voice during that period. If we do have to take them, remember it's best to do so temporarily.

Tips Continued

• Self-Destructive Behaviors: Avoid smoking cigarettes. They are bad for the heart, lungs, and vocal tract. Also, avoid other irritant inhalant substances and mind-altering drugs.

• Tobacco and marijuana are irritants to the vocal tract.

• Smoking is disastrous for the speaking and singing voice.

BreathingBreathing

• You MUST breathe properly while using your voice.

• If you use improper breathing techniques, this puts extra strain on the vocal cords and muscles of the larynx.

• This extra strain over a period of time leads to nodules, vocal fatigue, and other problems.The key to this is breathing from the diaphragm

Exercise for Exercise for BreathingBreathing

Stand in front of a mirror that shows you at least down to the waist. Take a deep breath. Did your shoulders rise up? If they did, you are probably breathing only with the top part of your lungs. Now try holding your shoulders down as you breathe in and concentrate on feeling your lower rib-cage expand. Now the air is getting down there where it will do the most good. One good thing you can do is place your hand on your stomach as you professionally use your voice. You should feel your stomach going in and out.

General Tips for Healthy VoiceGeneral Tips for Healthy Voice

• Good physical health - Try your best to eat healthy and remember to excercise regularly.

• Avoid all shouting or screaming. • Use amplification equipment instead of speaking loudly so as not to strain

your voice. • Use proper breath support when speaking, singing, or auctioneering. • Make a conscious effort to relax the muscles of the face, jaw and neck. • If you are a professional voice user, remember to give yourself periods of

vocal rest during the day. Perhaps you can let others do the talking for brief periods.

General Tips for Healthy VoiceGeneral Tips for Healthy Voice

• Vocal athletes are like other physical athletes - you must warm up the voice in order to keep it healthy for years to come.

• Avoid calling from room to room, learn to speak softer when you possibly can - especially when the voice is tired or fatigued.

• Get plenty of rest. • When your voice is tired or hoarse, be careful of whispering.

Many voice professionals agree that whispering is as bad as talking on strained vocal cords.

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General Tips for Healthy VoiceGeneral Tips for Healthy Voice

• Beware of inhaling chemicals in the air such as household cleaning agents. These can damage the vocal cords.

• Be careful of too many milk products, especially before using the voice professionally. Milk products tend to make you need to clear your throat, which is extremely hard on the vocal cords.

• If you are already hoarse, do not try and talk in a noisy environment. This puts much extra stress on the vocal folds, and only strains them further.

General Tips for Healthy VoiceGeneral Tips for Healthy Voice

• If you are already hoarse, limit your talking on the telephone. Most of us tend to talk much louder when we are on the phone, which strains an already hoarse voice even more.

• Abstain from smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, as these tend to dry out the vocal cords.

• Be careful of using antihistamines, they dry out the vocal cords and make them more vulnerable to injury.

Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseGastroesophageal Reflux Disease • This is quite common among professional voice users.

Although the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus and throat commonly leads to heartburn, many of our patients never experience this symptom.

• So, just because you're not having heartburn, that does not mean you are safe from the effects of acid reflux on your vocal cords. Treatment of this condition involves changes in your diet and lifestyle, as well as medications to reduce the acid production from your stomach.

Cures for s Scratchy VoiceCures for s Scratchy Voice• The lemon honey works especially when mixed with

chamomile tea. (lemon helps break up saliva, and honey coats your throat.

• Take 1 tbsp of honey 2-3 a day. (This really helps!)

• Sip warm water

• Avoid hot/spicy food.