Caring for Your Voice

Caring for Your Voice Page 1 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

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Caring for Your Voice Introduction Do you take your voice for granted? Is the quality of your voice important to you? Has your voice ever sounded raspy or hoarse, or felt like it was going to give out on you? These voice symptoms may indicate that you are misusing or overusing your voice. Repeated overuse or misuse of your voice is often called vocal abuse. If vocal abuse occurs often or consistently, it may leave your voice with less agility, range and pure sound. This brochure contains information about voice production (how sound is produced); symptoms, causes and treatment of vocal abuse; and care of your voice. This information may help you become aware of good vocal health in order to avoid stress and strain that cause vocal changes associated with vocal abuse. 1 Page 3 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

Voice production The sound you make as you talk or sing begins with air in your lungs being pressed out by your diaphragm s contractions (see illustration A). The vocal cords (sometimes called vocal folds) in your larynx (voice box) close to keep the air from escaping all at once. The combined action of your diaphragm and vocal cords raises the air pressure enough to force the movement of your vocal cords. Small openings and closings between the vocal cords produce sound by allowing the air to escape in small amounts (see illustration B). The sound is shaped by the positioning of your mouth, teeth, tongue and lips, and is heard as speech. Esophagus Larynx Vocal cords Trachea Bronchi Lungs Diaphragm 2 Illustration A Page 4 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

A. Quiet breathing B. Sound production View of vocal cords from top looking down Illustration B The sound of your voice changes if swelling, scarring, lesions or growths disturb your vocal system. Infections (viral or bacterial), overuse of the voice, or a constant irritation such as smoke can cause swelling. Scarring can occur after some neck surgeries or from trauma to the front of the neck. Noncancerous or cancerous lesions or growths can form on the vocal cords after long periods of irritation. The sound of your voice can also change if there are problems with your vocal cord muscles or the strength or movement of your diaphragm. Most conditions of the vocal cords improve over time with good vocal hygiene and removal of irritations. However, lesions or growths may require surgical removal. An otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat physician) or a speech therapist can assist you in developing a personal care plan. 3 Page 5 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

Symptoms of vocal abuse The following symptoms signal vocal problems: Dryness of the throat Fullness or lump in the throat Excess mucus in the nose and throat Vocal fatigue after a period of voice use Throat irritation or soreness Loss of vocal range (especially the higher notes) Raspiness Hoarseness These symptoms are listed in order of increasing severity. By recognizing and treating the earlier symptoms, you may prevent the others. Once symptoms begin, it is important to determine the causes of the symptoms and eliminate them. Prevention is the key to preserving the voice. Causes of vocal abuse The following are the most common causes of vocal abuse: Throat dehydration A healthy voice is dependent on vocal cords that are kept continually moist with watery mucus. Thin, watery mucus in the throat is normal and necessary. It allows the vocal cords to slip easily past each other during voice production. Without adequate mucus, the vocal cords 4 Page 6 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

must work harder to produce sound which leads to inflammation or swelling of the vocal cord tissues. Your nose and sinuses constantly produce watery mucus. Each day, about 1 to 1 1 /2 quarts of mucus go down the back of your throat, coating and cleaning this area. In addition, small mucussecreting glands lie right next to the vocal cords, bathing them constantly. When mucus becomes too dry and thickens, it is unable to protect the throat from bacteria, viruses and dust. Drinking fluids promotes watery mucus production. Throat clearing There is a correct and an incorrect way to clear your throat. When done incorrectly, a person produces a sound like a car trying to start and not catching. This bangs the vocal cords together and causes irritation. Clearing your throat correctly keeps the vocal cords from colliding. To clear your throat, make the sound of the letter H with some force as you exhale. It sounds like a heavy wind rushing out of your lungs. This clears your throat without harming your vocal cords. 5 Page 7 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

Voice Strain Talking too loudly, for too long, or when you are tired can strain your voice. A cold can cause irritation, swelling and redness of the vocal cords. Colds cause mucus to thicken, and your throat to be dehydrated. If you experience vocal strain, limit the use of your voice and sharply reduce any excessive use such as singing. When you have voice strain, speak in an easy and effortless manner. Do not force your voice or whisper. Forcing your voice and whispering put more tension on your vocal cords and slow their recovery. Not using your voice at all also can cause problems with recovery. Consult an otorhinolaryngologist or a speech therapist if a voice problem lasts more than two or three weeks. Smoking Cancer-causing chemicals and tar in tobacco smoke cause inflammation of the vocal cords and dry out the vocal area. The lining tissue of the vocal cords eventually thickens and swells, and a lesion or growth may form. 6 Page 8 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

Drinking Alcohol irritates the swallowing system and robs the throat of its much-needed water content. Caffeinated coffee, tea or soft drinks also dehydrate the throat. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages when you have an illness or other vocal cord problem such as a cold or vocal strain. Treatment of vocal abuse You can stop vocal abuse by altering habits that harm your voice, and adding new habits that will help your voice. Proper care of your voice can keep your larynx and voice functioning normally. If the effects of vocal abuse cause physical changes (lesions or growths) to your vocal cords, you may need surgery. Caring for your voice The most important factor in vocal care is proper hygiene and hydration. Fluid promotes production of mucus and reduces vocal stress. Drink at least 8 to 10 large glasses of the following fluids each day to add water to your body: Water Fruit juice Decaffeinated soft drinks Decaffeinated coffee and tea 7 Page 9 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

The following are ways you can prevent voice problems: Learn to clear your throat correctly. If you smoke, stop. Research shows that most people who develop cancer of the throat have a history of smoking. Lower your pitch slightly when you sing. Raise the pitch of your speaking voice. Sing or speak without forcing your voice. Don t raise your vocal pitch when you get excited. Don t shout across a room or talk over loud background noise. Move closer to your listener when speaking. Learn to use your voice more efficiently with less stress by having regular sessions with a trained voice professional (music teacher, speech therapist). Surgical therapy Usually, a lesion forms on the vocal cords after months or years of vocal abuse. Most lesions occur from a combination of a recent event, such as a respiratory infection, and chronic voice misuse. An example of this is continuing to sing when you have a throat irritation or cold. When a permanent lesion forms, it takes up space between the edges of the vocal 8 Page 10 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

cords and disturbs the normal air flow between the vocal cords. The voice becomes hoarse. To regain a more normal airflow pattern between the vocal cords, the lesion must be surgically removed. Surgery temporarily interferes with normal functioning of the vocal mechanism which requires time for healing. Some people continue to have problems with scarring and healing of the vocal mechanism after surgery. Conclusion The best way to treat vocal abuse is to prevent it. Pay close attention to the care of your voice and keep it in good health. By recognizing the earliest symptoms of vocal abuse and taking care of your voice, you will reduce or eliminate voice problems. For more information about caring for your voice, contact an otorhinolaryngologist or a speech therapist. 9 Page 11 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice

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Mayo Press 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota 55905 http://www.mayo.edu 1995, 2001, Mayo Press MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are registered marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. MC1137/R0501 Page 16 of 16 MC1137 Caring for Your Voice