Vocal Hygiene CD 661

Vocal Hygiene Vocal hygiene is the term used for the use and care of the human voice required to keep it healthy. Though most people can get through life without ever thinking about vocal hygiene, individuals who put extra demands on their voices must keep their vocal mechanism in better condition.

Vocal Hygiene Components of Vocal Hygiene: 1) Maintain the vitality of the vocal fold mucosa !!!!! Avoid trauma to the mucosa 2) Treat the muscles of the vocal mechanism like any athletic mechanism 3) Use the mechanism wisely

Maintain the vitality of the vocal fold mucosa FIRST - HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE !!! Hydration is the most important concept. The mucosal covering of the vocal folds must be wet and slippery in order to vibrate optimally. Drink 8-10 glasses per day Water can be anything except caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, or dairy Use a room humidifier, or a facial steamer AVOID mentholated lozenges

Maintain the vitality of the vocal fold mucosa SECOND – Avoid sources of irritation 1) Gastroesophageal reflux 2) Sinus drainage – a.k.a., post nasal drip due to allergies or sinus conditions 3) Smoking…anything….. 4) Snorting….anything….

Reflux and theVoice The pt. must take a diagnosis of reflux seriously !!! Follow ENT’s recommendations for medication AND diet and life style changes !! Acid burns the VCs, causes edema, irritation, and increases possibility of injury W/ reflux, the voice will fatigue faster, phonation will be effortful, and pitch range will likely be decreased

Avoid Trauma to the Mucosa Many things can voice cause unnecessary harm. Becoming aware of and avoiding these behaviors is crucial for optimal vocal health. throat clearing coughing screaming, yelling hard glottal attack grunting extended loud talking extensive singing at pitch or loudness extremes extensive talking in glottal fry

Avoid Trauma to the Mucosa How loud does your pt. talk? People are often unaware of some of these sources of loud talking Is the TV or stereo on at all times, and do they talk above it? Do they talk in the car? (Cars can be very loud, especially with the radio, etc. on) At home, do they talk to each other from different rooms? At work or school, is the noise level in the room increased by ventilation systems, electronic equipment, etc.?

Treat the muscles of the vocal mechanism like any athletic mechanism Vocal muscles need to be warmed up before use and cooled down after use Vocal muscle need to be trained carefully and gradually Fatigued muscles need rest and a gradual return to activity Voices that are only occasionally used extensively may become fatigued in a manner similar to the "weekend warrior syndrome."

Keeping the Mucosa Healthy Mucosa must be kept healthy and lubricated. Once swelling has occurred, impact stress / force to the mucosa must be reduced !! It's not wise to use medications to reduce mucosal swelling, i.e., aspirin, ibuprofen etc ….. Why ????

Use the Mechanism Wisely Pt. must be educated KNOW their voice and how it works Our bodies have individual strengths and weaknesses, and voices are no exception. Some vocal mechanisms are made of "cast iron", some are made of “glass.” Cast iron is not necessarily better than glass Pt. should not compare vocal endurance to anyone else’s. Their mechanism may be inherently different. Louder voices aren't necessarily better or more talented.

What are components vocal hygiene ? Voice Usage – 1) types of voice use 2) amount of voice use (vocal demands) Caffeine and Alcohol use Smoking Hydration Recreational drugs Food intake Types of exercise Amount of sleep

Components of vocal hygiene Types of voice usage: 1) extensive phone use both social or vocational 2) frequent yelling / loud talking / screaming 3) frequent use of character voices 4) frequent untrained singing or speaking 5) unusually high vocal demands Vocal Habits: 1) hard glottal attacks 2) throat clearing/coughing 3) pervasive glottal fry

Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking, Recreational Drug Use Amount of caffeine per day: coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, energy bars Amount of alcohol: hard alcohol or beer/wine, frequency Smoking: cigarettes, cigars, pipe, other – frequency? Drug usage: type of drug and frequency

Hydration Amount of water consumed per day Dehydrating beverages and foods consumed per day Ways to increase hydration: 1) increase water intake 2) steaming 3) take longer showers 4) humidifier 5) decrease caffeine, avoid menthol products, decrease alcohol, decrease smoking 6) Mucinex

Food Intake and Eating Habits Foods that aggravate acid reflux – 1) caffeine 2) alcohol 3) chocolate 4) onions and garlic 5) citrus and tomato 6) hot spicy foods and fatty, greasy foods Eat 3-4 hours before bed – no less !! Don't overeat

Exercise Weight lifting Kick boxing or martial arts involving vocalization Running Cheerleading Aerobics instructor? Athletics coach? Riding instructor?