Voice problems usually are associated with lost voice, hoarseness (also known as roughness), instability, or problems with voice endurance. If you are unsure if you have an unhealthy voice, ask yourself the following:
- Are you experiencing a lost voice?
- Has your voice become hoarse or raspy?
- Does your throat often feel raw, achy or strained?
- Has it become an effort to talk?
- Do you repeatedly clear your throat?
- Do people regularly ask you if you have a cold when in fact you do not?
- Have you lost your ability to hit some high notes when singing?
Voice problems arise from a variety of sources including voice overuse or misuse, cancer, infection, or injury. Here are steps that can be taken to prevent voice problems and maintain a healthy voice:
Drink water (stay well hydrated): Keeping your body well hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day (6-8 glasses) is essential to maintaining a healthy voice. The vocal cords vibrate extremely fast even with the most simple sound production; remaining hydrated through water consumption optimizes the throat’s mucous production, aiding vocal cord lubrication. To maintain sufficient hydration avoid or moderate substances that cause dehydration. These include alcohol and caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda). And always increase hydration when exercising.
Do not smoke: It is well known that smoking leads to lung or throat cancer. Primary and secondhand smoke that is breathed in passes by the vocal cords causing significant irritation and swelling of the vocal cords. This will permanently change voice quality, nature, and capabilities.
Do not abuse or misuse your voice: Your voice is not indestructible. In everyday communication, be sure to avoid habitual yelling, screaming, or cheering. Try not to talk loudly in locations with significant background noise or noisy environments. Be aware of your background noise—when it becomes noisy, significant increases in voice volume occur naturally, causing harm to your voice. If you feel like your throat is dry, tired, or your voice is becoming hoarse, stop talking.
To reduce or minimize voice abuse or misuse use non-vocal or visual cues to attract attention, especially with children. Obtain a vocal amplification system if you routinely need to use a “loud” voice especially in an outdoor setting. Try not to speak in an unnatural pitch. Adopting an extremely low pitch or high pitch can cause an injury to the vocal cords with subsequent hoarseness and a variety of problems.
Minimize throat clearing: Clearing your throat can be compared to slapping or slamming the vocal cords together. Consequently, excessive throat clearing can cause vocal cord injury and subsequent hoarseness. An alternative to voice clearing is taking a small sip of water or simply swallowing to clear the secretions from the throat and alleviate the need for throat clearing or coughing. The most common reason for excessive throat clearing is an unrecognized medical condition causing one to clear their throat too much. Common causes of chronic throat clearing include gastroesophageal reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, sinus and/or allergic disease.
Moderate voice use when sick: Reduce your vocal demands as much as possible when your voice is hoarse due to excessive use or an upper respiratory infection (cold). Singers should exhibit extra caution if one’s speaking voice is hoarse because permanent and serious injury to the vocal cords are more likely when the vocal cords are swollen or irritated. It is important to “listen to what your voice is telling you.”
Your voice is an extremely valuable resource and is the most commonly used form of communication. Our voices are invaluable for both our social interaction as well as for most people’s occupation. Proper care and use of your voice will give you the best chance for having a healthy voice for your entire lifetime.
Hoarseness or roughness in your voice or a lost voice is often caused by a medical problem. Contact an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon if you have any sustained changes to your voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms include lost voice, hoarseness or roughness, instability, difficulty sustaining voice endurance, throat ache or strain, frequent throat clearing, and changes in voice pitch such as difficulty hitting high notes when singing.
Voice problems can arise from a variety of causes including voice overuse or misuse, infections, injuries, and even serious conditions like cancer. Lifestyle factors such as smoking or exposure to irritants also contribute to vocal cord damage.
Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily keeps the vocal cords lubricated by optimizing mucous production in the throat. Proper hydration ensures smooth vocal cord vibration which is essential for clear voice production and prevents roughness and strain.
Smoking causes irritation and swelling of the vocal cords due to harmful toxins in both primary and secondhand smoke. This damage can permanently alter the quality, tone, and capabilities of your voice and increases the risk of cancer.
Excessive throat clearing slams the vocal cords together which can injure them and lead to hoarseness. Instead of clearing your throat, try swallowing or sipping water. Persistent throat clearing may also indicate underlying medical issues like reflux or allergies that should be evaluated.
When your voice is hoarse or during an infection, reduce vocal demands to allow your vocal cords to heal and prevent permanent injury. Singers and others who rely heavily on their voice should be especially cautious to avoid strain during these times.
Avoid yelling, screaming, or talking loudly in noisy environments. Use non-vocal signals to get attention, consider voice amplification if speaking loudly is necessary, and avoid speaking in unnatural pitch ranges that can stress the vocal cords.
If you experience any sustained changes to your voice such as ongoing hoarseness, roughness, or voice loss, you should consult an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. Persistent voice changes may indicate underlying medical conditions requiring treatment.
