It’s formed by the distinct size and shape of your vocal folds, along with how sound vibrates through your throat, nose, and mouth. Whether you’re singing a song, presenting at work, or simply catching up with friends, your voice does some heavy lifting for you. And as with any much-used instrument, it requires a bit of TLC to keep it in its prime.
Voice difficulties may occur to anyone, but they’re particularly prevalent if your profession is voice-reliant.
Teachers, singers, physicians, public speakers—these individuals are usually the first to recognize that something’s amiss. Actually, close to 18 million adults in America complain of voice problems, reports the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The most prevalent complaint is hoarseness. It’s what occurs when your vocal cords become irritated or inflamed, causing your voice to sound raspy, strained, or unnaturally deep. An attack of laryngitis, most commonly due to a cold or strain, is a classic culprit. But acid reflux, smoking, allergens, and even nerve disorders are culprits as well.
It’s simple to brush off a raspy voice—particularly if you believe it’s just caused by screaming too loudly or battling a cold.
However, if your voice isn’t normal for over two weeks, that’s your body sending you a message to listen up. Red flags also include difficulty reaching high notes, pain in your throat when you talk, or having to clear your throat all the time. And if you frequently lose your voice or experience vocal strain at the end of the day, it may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as vocal nodules or other masses that require medical attention.
Maintaining your voice begins with everyday habits.
Stay well-hydrated—particularly if you are physically active, or consume large amounts of caffeine or alcohol. Provide your voice with frequent rest breaks during the day. It also helps to use a humidifier, particularly if you reside in a dry area or it’s winter. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, both of which can severely irritate your vocal cords and increase the risk of cancer. And don’t underestimate the value of a good diet—fruits, vegetables, and whole grains maintain the health of your throat’s mucus membranes. If acid reflux is a problem for you, avoid spicy foods and discuss ways to control it with your doctor.
When your voice is tired, soothing treatments can restore it to normal.
Rest is the first solution—don’t speak or sing if your voice is raspy. Steam inhalation, warm honey or ginger tea, and throat lozenges may soothe. Others also swear by natural remedies such as slippery elm or apple cider vinegar. Just make sure to discuss those with your doctor beforehand. And if you have a humidifier, you should clean it frequently to prevent mold and bacteria.
Speaking wisely with your voice can avoid a great deal of trouble.
Avoid yelling, whispering, and speaking over din—those are habits that exhaust your vocal cords. Practice breathing in your chest to help your voice rather than relying on your throat alone. If you spend a great deal of time on the phone, use a headset or hold the phone correctly—holding it against your shoulder and head can lead to tension in your neck. And when you’re talking to a group or in a loud setting, use a microphone if possible. It makes all the difference.
But occasionally, your voice requires more than home treatment.
If your symptoms persist for several weeks, or if you’re experiencing pain, difficulty breathing, or complete loss of voice, it’s time to bring in an expert. An ENT physician or voice specialist can get to the bottom of things, and they may send you to a speech-language pathologist for voice therapy. This type of therapy shows you how to get the most out of your voice in healthier ways, and it may be tailored to your individual needs. It can make a huge impact on the way your voice feels—and the way you sound. Your voice is one of your strongest tools. Take care of it, and it’ll keep appearing for you—loud, clear, and strong.