Danielle M. Hartman

Friday, August 11, 2023 by Danielle M. Hartman | Vocal Health

Vocal Heath, Care and Hygiene Recommendations for Voice Professionals

Danielle Hartman, Adjunct Professor of Voice, Marian University

Voices can endure a lot of stress throughout our lives! The vocal cords (folds) are resilient; however, we still need to take care of them. Voice professionals-anyone who uses their voice a lot in their career (preachers, teachers, people who give presentations, politicians, speakers, etc.) needs to make sure that they take care of their voice.

One simple thing that you can do to help take care of your voice is to stay hydrated. It takes about two hours for any water that you drink to make it to your vocal folds. So, be sure to drink water throughout the day- not just before you are ready to sing or use your voice.

There are no miracle cures. A lot of people will ask what they can do when they are feeling hoarse- Should you sip on lemon water? Should you swallow olive oil? Should you drink tea? And the answer to those questions is “No.” (not unless that is something you really like to do!) There is nothing that will miraculously cure your hoarseness if you have swollen vocal folds. There are some sprays or lozenges that can be helpful or soothing, such as Entertainer’s Secret, or any glycerin-based or pectin-based lozenges. When our voices are hoarse, it usually means the vocal folds are swollen. And it takes more energy to make them move. So, when you are feeling tired or sick, it is most important to make sure that you are supporting your breath fully.

Acid reflux is something that happens a lot more than people think! Many people are quick to say they do not have acid reflux when they really do but have not recognized all the symptoms. If you notice, especially that in the morning when you wake up, you tend to be hoarse and it goes away during the day, then this might be an indication of acid reflux. When your stomach acids creep up into your larynx, it makes your vocal folds red and irritated. This also makes more mucus develop, which, in turn causes you to either cough or clear your throat more often. So. If you are experiencing something like this, please see your doctor, and please take precautions, such as being more careful of the types of foods you eat, and how late you eat them.

Allergies are also problematic for voice professionals. Indoor or outdoor environmental allergies can affect people all year round. It is important to know what specifically triggers your allergies so that you may avoid irritants or treat the allergies and symptoms. In addition to environmental allergies, some people may find they have food sensitivities. Allergies may make some extra drainage or mucus, and they may make your vocal folds swell. Please see your doctor or allergist specifically about ways to take care of allergies.

If you are a person who also works in loud environments, such as bars, restaurants, or arenas, please take extra care of your voice when you are in these environments. Being in an environment such as these long-term can be damaging. Be careful when enjoying time in these environments as well. Have fun, but not at the expense of your vocal health! Give yourself time for recovery and rest, in addition to staying hydrated.

Avoid irritants such as smoking of any kind (including vaping) or excessive alcohol. Smoking nicotine or marijuana and vaping causes the chemicals and irritants in the smoke or vapor to directly pass your vocal folds as you breathe in the substance. These chemicals can cause swelling, edema (fluid accumulation in the tissue), or excessive mucus to form. Chronic irritations of this sort can also cause nodules. Swelling, edema, and nodules all cause a hoarse or husky, throaty sound which diminishes clarity, volume, and resonance.

Some medications (prescription, over-the-counter and herbal supplements) may affect the voice. The most common effect medication has on vocal cords is drying out of the protective mucosal layer. Some medications can also cause edema or leave the vocal cords prone to bruising or hemorrhaging, and some hormonal medication can change the thickness of the vocal folds themselves, which will eventually change the overall range and quality of the voice. Check here for a list of medications and their effects on your voice. From (NCVS.org). Another medical situation that can have an adverse effect on your voice is having a breathing tube put down your throat for surgery. Of course, it is likely that a procedure that involves this is extremely important for your health. However, a conversation with your medical provider and anesthesiologist can be beneficial before the procedure to ensure care is taken involving your vocal cords to avoid injury or paralysis.

No matter what kind of problems you think you may be having with your voice, please see a voice specialist and get it taken care of! Not all ENTs specialize in voice and swallowing disorders. (Expect to get scoped to see your vocal folds. You will be awake during this, they will numb your nose and put a scope down your nose to see your vocal folds. They will use a strobe pulse to observe the waves of the vocal folds as you phonate.)  Sinus problems, reflux, allergies, illness… these issues all can contribute to prolonged poor vocal health. It is important to tell your physician that you are a voice professional and need specialized care. With singing, your instrument is your body. You must take care of your whole body for your voice to be its best at any time. Continue advocating for yourself and your voice with your health professionals.