Strategies for Voice Care
Most voice problems are caused by a number of little problems, all interacting and combining together to cause a larger problem. There are therefore, many ways to look after your speaking voice. Here are some ideas which can be applied across situations, problems and occupations.
Don’t abuse your voice
1. Don’t clear your throat or cough habitually.
Instead: yawn to relax your throat.
drink some water and swallow slowly.
2. Don’t shout, yell, cheer or scream frequently.
Instead: use non-verbal sounds to attract attention e.g. clap, whistle
3. Don’t talk over a long distance, especially outside.
Instead: move closer to the person so you can be heard without shouting.
4. Avoid talking in noisy environments; over loud music; machinery; noisy classrooms or public places.
Instead: reduce background noise as much as possible.
Always face the person you are speaking to.
Position yourself close to the listener.
5. Don’t try to address large audiences without proper amplification.
Instead: use a microphone for public speaking.
6. Don’t sing beyond your comfortable pitch for speaking.
Instead: know your physical limitations.
7. Be aware of the effect stress / emotions have on your voice, especially if you feel tension in the muscles of your neck, throat, chest, jaw and face.
Instead: check your posture and tension levels regularly.
Don’t misuse your voice
1. Don’t talk with a low pitched monotone voice. Don’t allow your vocal energy to drop so low that the sound becomes creaky and gravely.
Instead: voice should be powered by breath flow so the tone carries; allow your pitch to vary as you speak.
2. Don’t hold in your breath as you are planning what to say.
Instead: breathe in a natural, regular pattern.
3. Don’t speak beyond a natural breath cycle; avoid squeezing out the last few words of a thought without sufficient breath power.
Instead: speak slowly pausing at natural phrase boundaries so your body can breathe naturally.
4. Don’t tense your upper chest, shoulders, neck or throat to breathe in or to push voice out.
Instead: allow your body to stay aligned and relaxed so breathing is natural; allow your abdomen and rib cage to move freely.
5. Be aware of if you clench your teeth or hold your jaw.
Instead: let your jaw move freely during speech.
keep your lower and upper teeth separated.
6. Avoid tense vocal fold onsets (hard attacks).
Instead: keep your throat relaxed as you begin speaking, ensuring easy, soft starts to your words.
Use the breathing muscles and airflow to start speaking rather than pushing from your throat.
7. If you sing, don’t force your voice to stay in a register beyond its comfortable pitch.
Instead: consult a singing teacher.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment
1. Don’t demand more of your voice than you would of the rest of your body.
Instead: allow several periods of rest throughout the day.
Try to rest your voice after prolonged use.
2. Don’t use your voice extensively when you have a cold or laryngitis or when you feel tired.
Instead: rest your voice.
Use steam inhalations to steam your vocal folds.
3. Don’t use your voice when it feels strained.
Instead: learn to be sensitive to the first signs of vocal fatigue; hoarseness; throat tension; dry throat; poor vocal projections.
Get plenty of rest.
4. Don’t expose your voice to extensive pollution and dehydrating agents including cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine and dry air.
Instead: keep the vocal tract moist by drinking water. Avoid too much caffeine and orange juice (thickens the mucous).