Voice disorders can occur after a severe illness, trauma to the vocal cords, or surgery. However, people may also experience voice disorders from everyday use, such as working in professions that require a lot of talking— including teachers, medical professionals, and those who are on phone or video calls throughout the day.
“A speech language pathologist is specially trained to teach healthy voice use. They do this through teaching vocal hygiene, stretches, breathing techniques, and massages to relax and heal your larynx. They also help your voice function in a safe way by teaching you to project without straining,” says Minal Kadam, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Princeton Rehabilitation.
Reduce Voice Strain with These Easy Tips
- Remember to stay hydrated.
- Rest your voice on your days off.
- Use text to communicate instead of a phone call.
- Use nonverbal communication when your voice feels strained.
- Stretch and massage your larynx to release muscle tension.
How to Massage Your Larynx
Start making small circles with your fingers along the outside of your voice box and pull down slowly on both sides. When you reach the bottom of your throat, start back up at the top. One pass is equal to the entire length of your neck. Massage for two minutes or no fewer than 10 passes, at least 10 times a day.