Taking Care of Your Voice: Vocal Hygiene Tips

Our voice is a powerful tool. Whether you're a teacher, a singer, a public speaker, or simply enjoy chatting with friends, taking care of your voice is essential. Just like any muscle, our vocal cords need maintenance to function properly.

Who Benefits from Vocal Hygiene?

• Professional voice users including singers
• Teachers and coaches
• Anyone experiencing vocal hoarseness or fatigue
• Anyone who uses their voice regularly 

Tips for Better Vocal Hygiene

Hydration is Key

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is crucial. Staying hydrated helps keep your vocal cords lubricated. Aim for 64+ ounces of water per day.

Avoid Throat Clearing and Coughing

While it might seem like you're helping your throat, excessive throat clearing can actually irritate your vocal cords. Try taking a sip of water or doing a hard swallow instead.

Practice Good Posture

Maintaining an upright posture of the neck and spine allows you to utilize diaphragmatic breath support for voice use.

Be Mindful of Your Environment

Avoid airborne irritants like smoke and allergens. Using a humidifier can also help keep the air moist, which is good for your voice.

Manage Acid Reflux

Taking GERD medication correctly, low acid diets and lifestyle modifications can prevent acid reflux from reaching the level of the vocal cords and causing irritation and/or injury. 

Vocal Rest

If your voice feels tired or strained, give it some rest. Avoid talking excessively and allow your vocal cords to recover.

Anxiety and Stress Can Alter the Voice

Neck, shoulder, and laryngeal relaxation exercises, breathing exercises and gentle vocal technique can decrease tension in the laryngeal area. 

Hoarseness

If hoarseness persists more than two weeks, see your doctor or ENT.  Follow the doctor’s orders and Speech-Language Pathologist’s recommendations. 

Vocal Hygiene Checklist

• Preparing to Speak: Upright posture, relaxing upper body, facing the listener, reducing background noise.
• While Speaking: Moderate volume, overarticulate, speak slower with pauses, use breath support.
• Environment & Daily Life: Balanced diet, enough sleep, avoiding smoking and excessive caffeine, using a humidifier.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can help maintain a healthy voice and prevent vocal strain.

Let's prioritize vocal hygiene. Taking care of your voice will not only improve your communication but also contribute to your overall well-being.