Jefferson Offers Tips to Protect and Preserve Your Voice to Commemorate World Voice Day
In the United States alone there are approximately 7.5 million people who have trouble using their voices. To commemorate ‘World Voice Day’ on April 16th the Jefferson Voice and Swallowing Center in the
Department of Otolaryngology at
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is asking the public to assess their voice quality and recognize that harmful speaking techniques, alcohol, and tobacco abuse can irrevocably damage the voice.
“Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint. Whether explaining or complaining, joking or serious, the human voice is unmistakably genuine,” said Joseph Spiegel, M.D., medical director, Jefferson Voice and Swallowing Center. “The voice helps define your personality, mood, and health, yet people don’t understand how easily it can be damaged. That’s why we are asking people to take a moment and think about their voice and what it could mean if they lost it.”
In the United States, the annual observance of World Voice Day is sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Otolaryngologists—head and neck surgeons (also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors) – have pioneered new diagnostic and treatment procedures for the care and treatment of voice problems. In addition to medical treatments, there are some simple ways to protect and preserve your voice:
- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is good for your voice and helps to keep thin secretions flowing to lubricate your vocal cords.
- Do not smoke and avoid places with excessive secondhand smoke.
- Try not to scream or yell. These are abusive practices for your voice, and put great strain on the lining of the vocal cords.
- Warm up your voice before heavy use. Warm-ups can be simple, such as gently gliding from low to high tones on different vowel sounds, doing lip trills (like the motorboat sound that kids make), or tongue trills.
- Use good breath support. Breath flow is the power for voice. Take time to fill your lungs before starting to talk, and don’t wait until you are almost out of air before taking another breath to power your voice.
- Use a microphone. When giving a speech or presentation, consider using a microphone to lessen the strain on your voice.
- Listen to your voice when it is complaining to you. Know that you need to modify and decrease your voice use if you become hoarse to allow your vocal cords to recover. If your voice is hoarse frequently, or for an extended period of time, you should have a medical evaluation.
Understanding the significance of the voice both in everyday life and in the long-term is key in maintaining effective communication and for people’s overall health. To schedule an appointment with a Jefferson Otolaryngologist, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.
Media Only Contact:
Ed Federico
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 4/14/2010