Everything you should know about your voice and vocal health

Taking good care of your vocal health and maintaining hygiene should be your everyday goal for better voice. You don’t have to be a singer or someone who speaks for a living to take care of your vocal health. Voice, in general, is a life-skill just like seeing, listening, and walking.

What is voice?

Voice is nothing but the vibration of vocal cords. When you are speaking, the vocal cords (or folds) snap together as the air from lungs pass through them. This whole process is orchestrated by the brain.

How is the voice produced?

The voice is produced when it passes through the two bands of muscle tissue that are situated opposite to each other. This is a smooth process that takes place in the larynx. Larynx is known as the sound box and located at the base of the tongue and just at the top of the trachea. The vibration produces sound that passes through the throat, nose, mouth, and lips.

Why does the voice sound different from person to person?

The quality of your voice is completely dependent on the size and shape of the vocal cords and the sound resonating cavities. They differ from person to person, making each voice’s pitch, tone, and volume sound different.

What are the reasons behind voice disorders?

Voice health issues occur when the vocal cords are inflamed, paralyzed or face development-related or growth issues. Here are a few common issues that lead to voice disorders.

• Respiratory issues - Hoarse or raspy voice are the common symptoms of upper respiratory issues such as common cold and cough.
• Inflammation - Inflammatory issues such as acid reflux or popularly known as GERD, can cause changes in voice by infecting the vocal cords.
• Laryngitis - People who are dependent on voice for a living such as singers, public speakers, customer service representatives, sales folks, and presenters often overuse their voice cords. This can lead to voice-related issues such as laryngitis.
• Growths on vocal folds - Growth issues such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a noncancerous condition that leads to voice issues.

In rare cases, voice issues can be triggered by larynx cancer, spasmodic dysphonia which is also known as vocal fold paralysis and psychological trauma. These conditions can lead to serious voice issues that include permanent voice loss hence need immediate and proper medical help.

What are the symptoms of voice disorders?

If your voice is not sounding the same for more than a week, consider consulting an ENT specialist for help. You might also observe the following symptoms. These symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the issue.

• You voice becomes hoarse and feel a lump in throat
• Voice sounds deeper and you might feel difficult to speak
• The throat feels achy, strained, or raw while speaking
• You will have strep throat and might have to clear throat repeatedly

Whom to consult when you suspect issues with your voice?

Do not come to any conclusions before consulting your ENT doctor. Most of the voice disorders mimic the symptoms of the other underlying conditions. If a speech disorder is identified, you might have to consult an otolaryngologist or the vocal specialist. The ENT specialist might refer you to a speech pathologist or speech-language specialist to improve the voice.

How to take good care of your voice?

Like any other health system, your voice demands a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and considerable care. Here are a few ways you can take better care of your voice.

• Healthy lifestyle - Following a healthy lifestyle is the first and foremost thing to do for a better overall health. For maintaining good vocal health, you need to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water especially when you are drinking coffee, beverages, or alcohol. Take vocal naps by being silent for a considerable time of the day and use humidifiers when it is cold or dry outside. And completely avoid smoking.
• Take a healthy diet - Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables especially the ones that contain vitamin A, C, and E. They help in protecting the mucus membrane and keep the throat healthy. Try to avoid extreme cold or hot drinks.
• Vocal exercises - Breathing exercises like meditation helps in keeping better posture and breathing - the two important components in better speaking.
• Give rest to your vocal cords - Give proper rest to your vocal cords. Talk only when it is necessary. Use vocal cords only in its range, and do not strain them much. When you are sick, try to avoid long sentences. Sickness puts extra pressure on your vocal folds.

Drinking plenty of water and breathing through your nose helps you have better posture and moisture when you are talking. This helps tremendously especially in the long run.

Voice is an important contributor to have a better quality of life. Always take good care of it by following the above tips. If you are feeling anything unusual with your voice, book an appointment at your nearest ENT hospital today.