Drawing attention to the importance of vocal health on the occasion of April 16 World Voice Day, Assistant Head of Speech and Language Therapy Department Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt said, “The human voice is not just a communication tool, but also a part of our personality, emotions, and cultural identity.” Emphasizing that daily habits are of great importance for protecting vocal health, Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt stated, “Avoid frequent and severe throat clearing, and frequent and severe coughing, as these will irritate the vocal cords.”
Assistant Head of Speech and Language Therapy Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt drew attention to the importance of vocal health on the occasion of April 16 World Voice Day.
The human voice is not just a communication tool
Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt reminded that World Voice Day is celebrated annually on April 16 to draw attention to the vital importance of the human voice in our daily lives, raise awareness about voice-related disorders, and emphasize the importance of protecting vocal health. She said, “The human voice is not just a communication tool, but also a part of our personality, emotions, and cultural identity. In professional life, 'voice' is the most important work tool for many people, from artists to teachers, call center employees to lawyers, religious officials to politicians.”
Approximately 7% of people experience voice disorders at some point in their lives
Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt stated, “Research shows that approximately 7% of people experience voice disorders at some point in their lives.” She continued, “It is within the responsibility of speech and language therapists to provide preventive and protective support to professional voice users before they experience voice disorders. What we call a vocal cord is a 'V'-shaped muscle. The stronger a muscle is, the more resistant it is to trauma. For professional voice users, preventive and protective work is carried out through raising awareness about vocal hygiene, posture, breathing, phonation techniques, and vocal exercises.”
Golden tips for vocal health
Emphasizing that daily habits are of great importance for protecting vocal health, Asst. Prof. Maral Yeşilyurt made the following warnings:
- Avoid frequent and severe throat clearing, and frequent and severe coughing, as these will irritate the vocal cords.
- Hydration of the vocal cords, keeping them moist, and avoiding irritants are important. Drink enough water every day.
- Limit your consumption of tea, coffee, and herbal teas, as they also have a diuretic effect.
- Limit smoking and alcohol.
If you have reflux or allergies, get treated!
- Stomach acid rising up the esophagus (reflux) is one of the most common causes of vocal cord irritation. Try not to eat for two hours before bedtime and avoid excessively acidic/spicy foods. If you have reflux and/or allergies, get treated.
- Make sure to get enough sleep every day.
- Take short "voice breaks," especially on days when you use your voice intensively. Avoid long phone conversations and shouting in noisy environments. Do not speak by shouting, do not scream.
- Vocal cords are also muscles. Perform the voice exercises recommended by your speech and language therapist regularly for these muscles to work strongly and consistently.
Asst. Prof. Yeşilyurt concluded her words by saying, “Remember, if your hoarseness lasts longer than 3 weeks, you should definitely consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.”