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Voice Facts
Your larynx (pronounced LAIR-inks) is a collection of cartiledges, muscles, and membranes. The larynx houses
the major source of sound for speaking and singing – your vocal folds.
Your Voice:
- serves as an emotional outlet (laughter, crying, shouts of joy, screams of fear or rage);
- reveals your inner self – it is a reflection of your personality;
- shows your physical state, i.e., weak and tremulous or strong and healthy;
- changes as major stages of your life place demands on its use;
- reaches full maturity by age 18;
- begins to decline after age 65;
- may be used professionally (teacher, singer, receptionist, clergy, salesperson, public speaker, etc.);
- is likely to be taken for granted until it needs care.
Vocal Hygiene
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The following measures are designed to:
- keep vocal folds well lubricated (water is the "oil" we use to lubricate the vocal folds.)
- keep mucous thin to reduce irritation
- carry bacteria off quickly before they can multiply
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Recommendations
- Eat well-balanced meals. It helps keep your whole body fit.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise reduces stress and tension in your body and your larynx. It also increases circulation
to promote sinus drainage.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day. Take sips throughout the day rather than gulping 2 glasses at a time.
Add a twist of lemon or lime, but avoid ice-cold drinks.
Fruit juice is good, but do not substitute for water. Remember fruit has ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
- Use sugarless gum and mints to help moisten your throat when you can't get water.
- Avoid caffeine. It acts as a diuretic to remove moisture from the body. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, colas
and chocolate.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages. They are drying.
- Avoid sugary products.
- Eliminate mouth breathing and snoring. Elevate the head of your bed on 4-6" blocks. This will help keep
upper airways open.
- Use good posture whether standing or sitting for maximum breath support.
- When your furnace runs, use a humidifier. Keep thermostat set a little lower in winter and a little higher
in summer if you use air conditioning.
- Inhale steam several times a week (or as directed by your Speech Language Pathologist). Vapors from a pot of
boiling water are best.
Voice Conservation
- Speak quietly, but do not whisper.
- Carry a noisemaker if you can't whistle.
- Avoid speaking in noisy environments.
- Use amplification – a microphone or megaphone – when speaking to groups.
- Make a tape library for repetitive speaking / singing tasks.
- Delegate talking when possible.
- Take 5 minutes of quiet time 3-4 times a day.
- Swallow or sip water or use a silent "H" to clear your throat.
- Hum rather than sing.
- Follow the exercise regimen provided by your Speech Language Pathologist.
This brochure is also available in print.
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