What is Vocal Abuse?
Our voices represent who we are. Is your voice loud and boastful, or quiet and soothing? We manipulate our voices multiple times throughout the day; it expresses our emotions, personalities, or characters. Sometimes though, our occupations, stressors, and lifestyles can affect our voices. In some cases, an individual no longer feels in control of his/her own voice. How do we know if we’ve harmed our voices? Many individuals who have vocal abuse or a voice disorder describe it as not being able to control his/her own voice. Individuals often have voices that are hoarse or raspy, feeling effortful or constantly feeling like there is a frog in their throat.
Vocal Abuse Causes
There are many causes for vocal abuse, but these are the most common:
- Smoking
- Screaming/excessive yelling
- Excessive talking
- Constant coughing /throat clearing
- Stress/ psychological trauma
How do I prevent a voice problem?
Practice good vocal hygiene! Vocal hygiene is a combination of behaviours and healthy environmental exposures that promote and maintain a good voice.
Here are our 5 top tips to practice good, healthy vocal hygiene:
Keep Hydrated:
Pay attention to your thirst. If your mouth is dry, your throat is itchy, or you’re thirsty from heat or exertion, be sure to drink lots of clear fluids. Water is your best bet!
Quit Smoking:
Smoking is bad for your lungs and throat, and is the leading cause of laryngeal cancer. Quitting is not easy, so seek advice to help you stop for good https://smokefree.gov/
Don’t Whisper:
When gossiping with your friends or talking to a colleague during another work meeting be sure to avoid whispering. People strain to be heard when they whisper which adds more stress to the laryngeal area. Use a confidential voice instead—a soft voice which encourages a more open, relaxed airway!
Reduce your Caffeine intake:
That vanilla bean latte from your favourite coffee shop is dehydrating you. Be sure to follow up with lots of water.
Vocal Rest:
Give your voice a time out. Would you run 2 marathons in a row? No, you’d give your body a break! So, why not do the same for your voice? This is especially important for people who use their voice all day (such as teachers).
Interested in Learning More about Vocal Hygiene?
If you are experiencing any changes or concerns with your voice quality and have ruled out any underlying medical conditions, it may be beneficial to discuss these concerns with a speech and language professional. Voice therapy has been proven to be an effective approach in identifying causes of poor vocal quality and providing strategies for getting your voice back. Please do not hesitate to contact us to address any questions you may have. We would be happy to schedule you in for an assessment.
