Polluted and dusty air and cigarette smoke irritate the vocal cords!
Improper voice use can lead to voice disorders and negatively affect professional performance. Emphasizing the importance of protecting vocal health and using the voice properly, Speech and Language Therapist Göksu Yılmaz recommended, “To maintain systemic hydration of the vocal folds, it is necessary to sustain adequate fluid intake. Drinking or sipping water every 30 minutes and consuming 8–10 glasses of water daily is advisable.” Yılmaz also warned, "Do not be exposed to irritating respiratory substances such as cigarette smoke, polluted and dusty air, various chemicals, especially cleaning materials."
Research Assistant Göksu Yılmaz from the Department of Speech and Language Therapy at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences shared insights on voice health in observance of World Voice Day on April 16.
The voice is one of the most important tools for self-expression
Research Assistant Göksu Yılmaz stated that the voice is one of the most essential tools for individuals to express themselves. “Voice production occurs through the combination of respiration, phonation (the creation of sound), and resonance (the shaping of air through the mouth and nose during speech) processes. These processes allow the voice to form and become meaningful during speech. To understand the importance of vocal health, one must understand how voice is produced. Therefore, the first step in...
How is a healthy voice produced?
Discussing the voice production mechanism, Yılmaz explained that the primary source of voice is the airflow coming from the lungs. “During exhalation, air moves upward through the trachea and reaches the larynx. This airflow provides the energy needed to vibrate the vocal folds. The vocal folds inside the larynx vibrate with the airflow and produce the fundamental frequency of the voice. This raw sound is then shaped through resonance in the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities, forming the final sound we h...
Most professionals in the service sector are professional voice users
Yılmaz pointed out that professional voice users (singers, actors, teachers, lawyers, trainers, call center workers, clergy, healthcare workers, and speech and language therapists) are often required to use their voices for extended periods or in ways different from everyday speech. “Considering that many service sector employees are professional voice users, vocal endurance becomes an important factor even in the national economy. Declines in vocal performance not only affect subjective voice perception ...
Vocal folds contact more frequently in women than men
Yılmaz explained that vocal folds contact each other approximately 200–250 times per second in women and 100–150 times per second in men during phonation. “This contact occurs in cycles of opening and closing. To give a concrete example, it’s like clapping your hands 200–250 times per second for women and 100–150 times for men, illustrating the burden on the vocal folds. Incorrect behaviors or habits during voice use may add extra strain on the vocal folds, paving the way for voice disorders.”
Frequent throat clearing affects the voice
Addressing improper voice use, Yılmaz added:
“Examples of misuse include speaking loudly for extended periods in noisy environments (e.g., classrooms or busy streets), using excessively high or low pitch, speaking or singing continuously without breaks, strained whispering, frequent throat clearing, shouting, smoking or using tobacco products, exposure to irritants (e.g., tobacco smoke, dust, dry air), consuming reflux-triggering foods or beverages (very hot or cold drinks, fried or spicy foods), eating close to bedtime, not drinking enough water, ...
Drink water or take sips every 30 minutes
Yılmaz emphasized the importance of maintaining the health of the vocal folds and the voice production mechanism, especially given the intense effort they endure. She provided the following recommendations for protecting vocal health:
- “To ensure systemic hydration of the vocal folds, maintain sufficient fluid intake by drinking or sipping water every 30 minutes and consuming 8–10 glasses of water per day.
- To protect the vocal folds by minimizing reflux, stop all food and drink (except water) at least 2–3 hours before bedtime and avoid overly fatty, salty, spicy, or acidic foods.
- Avoid cigarette smoke, polluted, and dusty air.
- To prevent dehydration of the vocal folds, avoid dry environments (e.g., prolonged air conditioning exposure) and inhaling irritants (such as cigarette smoke, polluted and dusty air, and cleaning chemicals).
- Posture affects breathing and muscle tension; therefore, proper positioning of the musculoskeletal system is crucial. When standing, balance body weight on both feet, stand upright without leaning, and keep feet shoulder-width apart. When sitting, use appropriate back support, adjust chair height, and hold reading material at eye level during vocal reading.”
Pay attention to daily habits to protect your voice!
Yılmaz concluded by emphasizing the importance of being mindful of daily habits to protect the voice. Yılmaz stated that “We should pay attention to voice hygiene and seek professional support such as voice therapy when needed. Protecting vocal health provides significant benefits both individually and socially.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)