HealthInfo Canterbury
Tips for looking after your voice
It's important to take care of your voice, especially if you use it a lot for work or as a hobby. The following tips can help.
- Use good voice production techniques. For example:
- gain the listeners' attention before speaking
- look at the person you're speaking to
- speak with your head up (this makes it easier for your listener to hear your voice)
- keep your hands away from your mouth
- speak at a comfortable pitch (not too high, not too low)
- speak at a comfortable level of loudness.
- Drink at least eight cups of fluid a day. Water is best.
- Be careful with alcohol – it also dehydrates your body. If you do have alcohol, make sure you have extra water.
- Treat your voice with care if it sounds different. This could be because you are developing a cold or the flu, or perhaps you are run down.
- Rest your voice regularly – stop talking whenever possible.
- Try not to clear your throat – have a sip of water or try swallowing instead.
- Don't shout or scream, and try not to use your voice loudly (for example, talking against loud background noise).
- Don't whisper (you're still using your vocal muscles when you're whispering, so it's best just to stay quiet).
- See your GP if your voice doesn't improve.
- Ensure your home is not too dry and avoid other environments that might harm your voice, such as smoky rooms or air-conditioned buildings. If you can't avoid them, limit the time you spend in them.
- Tension in your body can affect your voice – gently stretch your shoulder and neck muscles throughout the day.
Written by community speech-language therapists, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed November 2020.
Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Review key: HISCD-79694
