Vocal Hygiene. Adult Speech and Language Therapy Department. Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Transcription

1 Vocal Hygiene Adult Speech and Language Therapy Department Macclesfield District General Hospital Leaflet Ref: Published: Dec 2017 Review: 01/11/2020 Page 1

2 This leaflet aims to provide you with information to reduce or eliminate environmental and behavioural factors that may damage the voice. Remember your voice is a valuable resource! Things to do which help! Hydration Try to drink 2 litres of liquid a day (not including tea, coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks). This will prevent dehydration of the vocal cords. Tip: Carry a bottle of water with you or ensure you always have a glass of water on your desk. Save your voice not your legs Avoid shouting over background noise or from room to room. This can strain your voice. Tip: Save your voice not your legs! Walk and find the person you are calling, or turn down the TV when having a conversation etc. Voice rest If your voice feels tired or strained rest it! This is your body s way of telling you to rest your voice. Tip: Find some time during the day to rest your voice i.e. during lunch, or on the way home in the car. Steaming This helps to introduce moisture into the vocal tract and helps keep the vocal folds hydrated. Tip: Have a hot shower before going to work and spend a couple of minutes inhaling the steam. Get enough sleep Fatigue can cause the voice to sound hoarse. Take adequate breath when speaking Take adequate breath when speaking do not speak in sentences that are too long so you are left to force out the words on minimal breath. Tip: Instead take deeper breaths and reduce sentence size Leaflet Ref: Published: Dec 2017 Review: 01/11/2020 Page 2

3 Things to avoid! Excessive throat clearing Try not to clear your throat unnecessarily. Constantly clearing your throat puts strain on the vocal cords as they are bashed together. Also, it can create excessive mucous and lead to a further need to throat clear. Tip: Try to swallow or take a drink of water. You may need to repeatedly do this until the sensation of wanting to throat clear has gone persevere! Caffeine and alcohol Avoid too much tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. These can dry out the vocal cords. Tip: Try drinking decaffeinated tea/coffee or follow an alcoholic drink with a soft drink. Smoking Stop smoking. If you can t give up, cut down. Smoking irritates and damages the vocal folds. Tip: Visit your GP for advice about smoking cessation. Irritants Avoid chemical irritants and smoky, dry and dusty atmospheres. Irritants can dry out the vocal cords. Whispering Avoid Whispering Whispering can add further strain to your voice Tip: Use a confidential voice, like the voice you would use to a sleeping baby (quiet voice). Throat lozenges Avoid medicated throat lozenges. Lozenges numb the throat. This allows you to do more damage. Menthol lozenges also have a drying effect. Tip: To keep the mouth moist suck ordinary pastilles or chew gum. Leaflet Ref: Published: Dec 2017 Review: 01/11/2020 Page 3

4 Things which may impact on your voice Gastric reflux Reflux/indigestion can affect voice quality and cause discomfort or a feeling of a lump in your throat. Emotion The voice is closely linked to emotion. Tension, depression, stress or anxiety can affect the voice. If your voice sounds different for more than two weeks you should visit your doctor. If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the Speech and Language Therapy Department s, Voice Service: Velda Price or Gemma Clarke, Adult Speech and Language Therapy Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road Macclesfield Tel: Leaflet Ref: Published: Dec 2017 Review: 01/11/2020 Page 4

5 Comments, compliments or complaints We welcome any suggestions you have about the quality of our care and our services. Contact us: Freephone: Phone: Textphone: Customer Care, Reception, Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, SK10 3BL For large print, audio, Braille version or translation, contact Communications and Engagement on East Cheshire NHS Trust operates a smoke-free policy (including e-cigarettes) For advice on stopping smoking please contact the KICKSTART Stop Smoking service on East Cheshire NHS Trust does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, bullying or abuse and is committed to ensuring that patients, staff and the public are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. If you have any comments about how we can improve our services please inform a member of staff in the department or complete a comment card available throughout the hospital. Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Rd, Macclesfield SK10 3BL Leaflet Ref: Published: Dec 2017 Review: 01/11/2020 Page 5